Psychiatrists Slam Phil, Cedars

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.
Dr. Phil, Britney Spears
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.

Reader Comments

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736. Her "parents" asked him to go see her. They were way to busy. Her mother had to go to her sister grave while her daughter was having an emotional breakdown (makes sense to me how does it work for you?) You always leave your kid hanging to go to a grave. Her sister is way to busy figuring out what to do about her about to be born baby (he show got cancelled) Her dad? Who knows I read he was some where doing an interview crying for Brit. NOT one of them raised a hand to help her. The mother is "good" friends with Brits money grubbing husband and even told HIM that Jamie was PG before Brit. She was afraid the Brit might screw up the millions bucks she sold her kid for. Now we know why Brit is having problems. We can trash this girl all we want but look at what she has dealt with. I don't think Brit has a chance to be a tramp, how can she the cameras follow her every move. They chased her down with the baby in the car and she put the kid on her lap because she was scared. Jullia roberts chased them down and blasted them, look at the stars that punch these photogs out? Now we see why. Dr Phil and I use the term loosely, may think he can help her? I don't know but he is really full of himself. I think we should be trying to support this poor gril who has been used, abused,and thrown away.

Posted at 3:54PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Judy

737. helloo???? Dr. Phil sucks...

Posted at 3:23PM on Jan 7th 2008 by debc.

738. Brit needs a REAL Dr. Not some jerk , Dr. Phil, that miss Oprah found!! Oprah thinks she's freaking God and so do many many of her "followers" whom think she can do no wrong.... and why isn't she founding a school here in US, why AFRICA? and now she's backing Obama, .. oh please .. geezz... louise.. Will the "real" God help us all?

Posted at 3:27PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Katie

739. Dr. Phil, how's that workin' for ya? It's a good thing the M.D.s piped in here. All too often, Dr. Phil will give medical advice on his show and he is NOT a physician, only a psychologist. Thank God for psychiatrists - the world is much better off because of them. Quacks like Dr. Phil need to stop being wannabes.

Posted at 3:30PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Helloooooo

740. Dr. Phil is a desperate man looking for an unreachable boost in his TV ratings. Even in countries with socialized medicine, Doctor-Patient relationships are sacrosanct. If Dr. Phil breathes a word of this invasion pf patients' rights on his show, he should lose his license to practice, and given the heave-ho by the network that carries this IDIOT.

Posted at 3:31PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Geduld

741. no client at cedars should feel safe after letting someone in and even confirming they/she was even in the hospital. people are admitted to a hospital for help not to be picked on. how can anybody get better if the one place that should be helping are allowing unwanted people to come by. it's my understanding that all persons have to have written permission before even being told they are in the hospial. who going to inforce the HIPA laws?

Posted at 11:56AM on Jan 9th 2008 by g

742. who's inforcing the HIPA laws?

Posted at 11:52AM on Jan 9th 2008 by g

743. All of this is getting old, let's move on to something important. What the Spears family does is none of our business. Let her doctors take care of what is right or wrong with Dr.Phil. His name is also getting old. I think everyone is just tired of hearing the same old news.

Posted at 4:26PM on Jan 7th 2008 by MMarie

744. If the parents had gotten a REAL doctor to confront brit, you'd all still be complaining with your double talk of 'They Had No Right! But then again; you are the same people who have been complaining that the parents have done nothing? Which is it? They only sit on the sideline and watch the trainwreck that is their daughter, or they have done (tried) nothing to stop it? I suppose you CAN have it both ways, if only in your minds.

Posted at 4:25PM on Jan 7th 2008 by sandman

745. WHO CARES!?? REALLY ENOUGH OF THIS CRAP..ISNT THERE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON SOMEWHERE? AND TO THINK WE CALL THIS NEWS...US AMERICANS ARE A SORRY BUNCH...

Posted at 4:31PM on Jan 7th 2008 by MARA

746. Just to elaborate on what i said earlier. It just never ceases to amaze me at the predatory way in which the American people go after the weak and sick. It is as if they pray on them in order to make themselves feel better. LIke 'Well, they are rich and famous and miserable so my life must not suck that much". I defy any of us to have our entire personal life scrutinized under the microscopic view of the American Public. I had a horrible drug addiction and it was hell getting clean. It was bad enough my entire family knowing about it, but I cant imagine having it be played on the NBC Nightly News. I cant imagine having my divorce displayed for the whole workd to see either. It was nothign like this, we didnt have children. But it just makes me sick how people thrive on this kind of gut wrenching stuff. Dr Phil should be ashamed of himself. He is NOT personal friends with the Spears family, he is simply promoting himself. Noone should have allowed him in her room. He always has that Dr Lawless on his show, for everything from eating disorders to badly behaving kids, ro drug addicts. No one person can be an expert in all fields like Dr Lawless proclaims to be, nor Dr Phil with his pat line "I have been doing this for 30 years"....so he had a piece of paper with his name of it for 30 years...that does not give him license to practice "medicine" on everything and everyone.
But back to my original topic. I pray that Miss Spears finds some peace and solace somewhere. She is going to have to leave this planet to do so. I just hope she doesnt turn what started out as a realy charmed life into another Anna Nichole Smith story. Brittney has never had a normal childhood...she has been teh main supporter of her family since she was 7 years old.....someoen needs to return the favor to her and they need to do it NOW. There but for the Grace of God go I....remember that. Until you have walked a mile in another person's shoes how can you know what is really going on?

Posted at 4:41PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Sploozy

747. Phil "Quick Draw" McGraw (for shooting his mouth off before thought can enter) should be dicilpined by the Medical Board by having his license revoked for not only violating law, but basic ethics just so he could gain some publicity. Just like Oprah and the rest of her stable of media whores... including Barack Obama. Fancy talk, no substance. Even Britney has rights and she could sue him (and the hospital) for millions. Just another pushy, arrogant Texan milking the people and leaving rich. Instaed of oil it is snake oil. Dr. Bigot Phil with all his judgement makes Dr. Laura seem almost to human compassion.

"Dr." Phil is always talking about taking responsibility... let's see if HE does.

Hey, Phil, What were YOU thinking???

Posted at 10:24PM on Jan 9th 2008 by Uncle Bill

748. Dr Phil is only after what he can get, whether it's more money, higher ratings, you name it. It all revolves around him and he is n-e-v-e-r wrong. He just wanted to chew on a piece of her star power like all the other leeches or he would have kept it quiet and tasteful.

Posted at 5:40PM on Jan 7th 2008 by CheyFire

749. He should shut the hell up and mind his own business .... oh I guess he is his show business

Posted at 5:56PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Bert

750. Re; Dr.Phil

As a psychologist and attorney, I am wondering how Dr. Phil could intervene or intrude with a patient who did not give permission. if he is a licensed psychotherapist, or acting as one, he may have been in an inappropriate dual relationship , i.e therapist / talk show host. Also, it is troublesome that it appears Dr. Phil had no authority to release confidential information.

Don Eisner,Ph.D.J.D.
Psychologst/Attorney

Posted at 6:42PM on Jan 7th 2008 by Don Eisner

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