Practicing psychology involves record keeping of patients, be it electronically or traditionally.

We must
protect it and properly dispose of it when the time comes. What do you think about our legal and
ethical obligations to keepsake patient’s record? Is it truly that important and why?

It is important to keep the patients’ records because, through recording of treatment plans, services
given, and client progress, these records assist both the client and the psychologist. Record keeping
enables the psychologist to keep track of and assess his or her work by documenting the planning and
implementation of an acceptable course of services. Records are particularly critical when significant
time passes between consultations or when the client seeks the services of another specialist. When
record keeping is inadequate, clients are put in serious danger. Psychologists require precise data to
provide successful services. Psychologists may have difficulty monitoring their work and will risk
providing inferior services if treatment plans, service requirements, and client progress are not
effectively documented. Inadequate records present a comparable difficulty when a psychologist
assumes responsibility for a client in a multidisciplinary environment or when a psychologist is unable to
continue therapy. Furthermore, appropriate documentation can also assist both the client and
psychologist in the event of legal or ethical proceedings. Proper record keeping protects the
psychologist in the event that an issue arises which eventually results in a complaint. If the
psychologist's client records fall far short of the established professional standard, he will struggle to
explain himself if the treatment performed was not properly documented. When the psychologist's
version of events is contradicted by the client's record, the authorities may have difficulty reconciling
them. With this in mind, keeping good records shows that you follow professional, ethical, and legal
rules.