Even Psychiatrists hit out at Dr Phil’s hospital visit to Britney Spears

There seems to have been some professional criticism of Dr. Phil in his conduct with Britney Spears. Imagine That. As seen here

Psychiatrists have hit out at Dr Phil McGraw’s hospital visit to troubled Britney Spears - saying that the hospital should not allow any doctor who does not have in-patient privileges into a patient’s room, unless that patient has given prior consent.

According to TMZ, the Toxic singer was blissfully unaware the TV shrink was coming to her room - and when he arrived, she became agitated and walked out. She eventually came back in and he “pretty much did all the talking for around 15 minutes”.

One psychiatrist deemed Phil’s actions “intrusive and inappropriate.” Another psychiatrist said the hospital “is supposed to be a safe place. If the patient doesn’t want to see someone, that person doesn’t get in - period.”

Another doctor - who said he was “outraged and disgusted,” added, “It is incredible that the hospital allowed Dr. Phil in her room. It’s a total violation of her rights.”

One shrink said staff at the hospital were “star struck” and let the 57-year-old TV doctor’s profile override their judgment.

Dr. Phil gained notoriety following appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and is the host of the psychology themed television show Dr. Phil.

Meanwhile, Britney’s parents are reportedly set to appear on McGraw’s show on Tuesday - but their troubled daughter has refused to take part.

The television psychologist warned that Spears was in “dire need” of medical help after he visited her in hospital on Saturday.

It had been thought that he was trying to persuade the chart star to go on his nationally syndicated programme this week.

Here is the link to the TMZ Story:

Eight psychiatrists tell TMZ they are shocked Cedars Sinai Medical Center let Dr. Phil go up to Britney Spears' room without her prior knowledge or consent.

The shrinks had various things to say about Dr. Phil's visit to Brit's room, but the theme was unified -- that the hospital should not allow any doctor who does not have in-patient privileges into a patient's room, unless that patient has given prior consent. TMZ has learned Britney had no idea Dr. Phil was coming to her room and indeed when he walked in she became agitated and walked out. She eventually came back in and he pretty much did all the talking for around 15 minutes.

One psychiatrist called it "intrusive and inappropriate." Another shrink told us the hospital "is supposed to be a safe place. If the patient doesn't want to see someone, that person doesn't get in -- period."

Another shrink, who said he was "outraged and disgusted," added, "It is incredible that the hospital allowed Dr. Phil in her room. It's a total violation of her rights."

One doc surmised bluntly the hospital was "star struck" and let the TV doctor's profile override its judgment.

We're told early yesterday the show wanted to book Brit for a TV intervention that is being taped on Monday. We're told she wants nothing to do with it, and the show will not have her on. We're also told Brit's parents, who wanted Dr. Phil to visit Britney, had agreed at least initially to be on the program.

One shrink said splashing a private medical matter on TV and saying it's an intervention -- especially without the proper medical diagnosis -- is no way to run a railroad.

Now it makes sense, he wanted to sign her up for the show. Apparently his motive was profit, not to actually help her.

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UPDATE: It now seems that Dr. Phil has suffered an attack of an ethical conscience, and has decided to cancel the previously planned Britney Spears show.

Dr. Phil has canceled his upcoming special on Britney Spears.

In a statement, he tells Entertainment Tonight:

"We had planned to tape a Dr. Phil Now show tomorrow, focusing not on the tabloid side of Britney's latest problems, but instead on the very serious issues surrounding this case. Clearly, it is not just Britney's family struggling to find a way to protect adult children who cannot be ordered or compelled to seek help.

"Because the Spears situation is too intense at this time, and out of consideration to the family, I have made the decision not to move forward with the taping at this particular time. Britney and her family are in our prayers and we ask that they be in yours."

He says details of his hospital visit with Spears "will, of course, remain private."

He visited her shortly before she was released Saturday.

He said on CBS' The Early Show this morning that Lynne Spears initially called him to intervene.

Why oh why was this under consideration in the first place? To borrow some of the doctor's colorful language, you don't have to fall off a turnip truck to figure out that this might be a Bad Idea^(tm). This is not rocket science, and it is NOT brain surgery.