Do you think that referrals from colleagues constitute a good alternative to conducting screening interviews?
Discussion Topic
A community mental health worker forms a group by asking her colleagues for names of clients who might fit into a group she is organizing. She does not make any provisions for screening because she is convinced that screening really is not worth the time it takes. Her position is that her colleagues will give her names of people who would be good candidates. Also, she sees nothing wrong with people dropping out of the group if they find it is not for them.
Do you think that referrals from colleagues constitute a good alternative to conducting screening interviews? Do you think the mental health worker is acting ethically when she encourages members to drop out of the group if they find that it does not suit their needs? What problems, if any, do you see with this group leader’s method of setting up her group?