What are the typical steps involved in fulfilling the Tarasoff duty to warn or protect?

• A. When there is a credible threat to a specific person, warn the potential victim and/or contact authorities; document decision-making and rationale; comply with jurisdiction.
• B. Confidentiality always overrides safety concerns, so no warning is given.
• C. Only the family of the threatened person should be informed, with no documentation.
• D. Duty to warn is optional and varies by clinician preference.

Answer: (B)

When a patient makes a credible threat against a specific person, the clinician has a duty to act to prevent harm. The typical steps include warning the identified potential victim and/or contacting authorities to intervene, depending on the risk and legal requirements in the jurisdiction. Alongside these actions, it’s essential to document the assessment, the decision-making process, and the rationale for the chosen course, and to follow applicable laws and professional guidelines.

Tarasoff-based practice emphasizes balancing safety with confidentiality: when a threat is credible and specific, safety takes precedence, and appropriate protective steps must be taken. This is why simply preserving confidentiality is not sufficient. Informing only family or treating the matter as optional and variable by clinician preference do not meet the standard obligations. The required approach centers on warning or protective actions and thorough documentation, guided by the relevant laws in the clinician’s area.