Exploring the Overlooked: Dutch Clinicians' Perspectives on Side Effects of Psychological Interventions

Steven J. Lynn (1946-2024) was a prolific researcher who explored a wide array of topics in clinical psychology. He and his co-authors emphasized the importance of researching the side effects of psychological interventions. In the current studies (Study 1, N = 58; Study 2, N = 64), we examined clinicians' perspectives on side effects. A slight majority of clinicians in both studies reported familiarity with the topic (Study 1: n = 30, 51%; Study 2: n = 39, 61%). Those who claimed familiarity were more likely to discuss side effects with their patients compared with those who acknowledged a lack of knowledge. In Study 2, we found significant variation among clinicians regarding what constitutes avoidable, unavoidable or nonexistent side effects, and their views did not align with those of patients. This divergence may explain why a considerable number of clinicians refrain from discussing side effects with patients, despite patients' right to be fully informed about the potential benefits and risks of their treatment. Our findings underscore the need for clear guidelines that define the full spectrum of side effects and offer strategies for effective communication with patients. The first step in developing such guidelines is to raise awareness among professionals about the topic, which can be effectively achieved by engaging in the work of Steven J. Lynn and his co-authors, whose insights remain highly relevant.