Final answer:
Legal responsibility for the self killing of a patient after discharge due to insurance payment cessation is complex, but the psychiatrist as the team leader typically holds the greatest liability. However, accountability might extend to other team members or the institution, depending on specific circumstances and legal interpretations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the tragic scenario where a patient commits self killing after being discharged from a team comprising a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, nurse, and medical student due to insurance discontinuation of payment, determining legal responsibility is complex. Typically, it would depend on several factors, such as the protocols followed during discharge, the awareness of the patient's self killing risk, the level of care provided, and specific laws and precedents in the jurisdiction.
The most likely member of the team to be held legally responsible is E. The psychiatrist, assuming they were the team leader in charge of the patient's care. However, liability may be shared among team members or belong to the hospital or the institution as well. If the discharge and subsequent self killing appear to be the result of professional negligence, it is possible that the team members who had a direct role in the patient's treatment and discharge decisions could be held accountable.
However, without more specific information about the roles of each team member and the details surrounding the discharge, it isn't possible to make a definitive determination. Additionally, legal outcomes can also be influenced by the quality of the defense, the interpretations of laws, and the specific arguments presented in court.