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Laureano CD, Laranjeira C, Querido A, Dixe MA, Rego F. Ethical Issues in Clinical Decision-Making about Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:445. [PMID: 38391820 PMCID: PMC10888148 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12040445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In mental health and psychiatric care, the use of involuntary psychiatric treatment for people with mental disorders is still a central and contentious issue. The main objective of this scoping review was to map and systematize the literature on ethical issues in clinical decision-making about involuntary psychiatric treatment. Five databases (Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, and Scopus) were searched for articles on this topic. Out of a total of 342 articles found, 35 studies from 14 countries were included based on the selection criteria. The articles were analyzed using the inductive content analysis approach. The following main categories were identified: (1) ethical foundations that guide clinical decision-making; (2) criteria for involuntary psychiatric treatment; (3) gaps, barriers, and risks associated with involuntary psychiatric treatment; (4) strategies used to reduce, replace, and improve the negative impact of involuntary treatment; and (5) evidence-based recommendations. Most of the selected articles discuss the logic underlying involuntary treatment of the mentally ill, exploring ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, or justice, as well as how these should be properly balanced. During the process of involuntary psychiatric admission, there was a notable absence of effective communication and a significant power imbalance that disenfranchised those seeking services. This disparity was further intensified by professionals who often use coercive measures without a clear decision-making rationale and by family members who strongly depend on hospital admission. Due to the pluralistic and polarized nature of opinions regarding legal capacity and the complexity and nuance of involuntary admission, further studies should be context-specific and based on co-production and participatory research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudio Domingos Laureano
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Service, Local Health Unit of the Leiria Region-Hospital of Santo André, Rua das Olhalvas, 2410-197 Leiria, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2-Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro-Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
| | - Ana Querido
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2-Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro-Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), NursID, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Anjos Dixe
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2-Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro-Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Francisca Rego
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Aguirre L, Padovano M, Scopetti M, La Russa R, Manetti F, D’Errico S, Frati P, Fineschi V. Mental health law: a comparison of compulsory hospital admission in Italy and the UK. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1265046. [PMID: 37869180 PMCID: PMC10587399 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1265046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, the mental health law legal framework has had several changes throughout the years to achieve and develop new reforms, better mental health care, and protect the human rights of patients. The UK national data shows rising detention rates and the disproportionate use of the legal framework among people from black and minority ethnic groups. At the national level, compulsory admissions are lower in Italy; it also shows that it has increased in the last few years in both countries. The lack of ethnic national data, especially in Italy, limited the ability to understand compulsory admission, discrimination, and stigma in mental health. The present study aims to compare the legal framework of mental health law and compulsory hospital admission in Italy and the UK. A review of each country's latest amendments to mental health law and the number of compulsory hospital admissions was conducted to understand the impact of changes in mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucienne Aguirre
- City & Hackney Adult & Older People’s Mental Health Services, East London Foundation NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martina Padovano
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Scopetti
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Federico Manetti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano D’Errico
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Frati
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Fineschi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Oudin A, Maatoug R, Bourla A, Ferreri F, Bonnot O, Millet B, Schoeller F, Mouchabac S, Adrien V. Digital Phenotyping: Data-Driven Psychiatry to Redefine Mental Health. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e44502. [PMID: 37792430 PMCID: PMC10585447 DOI: 10.2196/44502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The term "digital phenotype" refers to the digital footprint left by patient-environment interactions. It has potential for both research and clinical applications but challenges our conception of health care by opposing 2 distinct approaches to medicine: one centered on illness with the aim of classifying and curing disease, and the other centered on patients, their personal distress, and their lived experiences. In the context of mental health and psychiatry, the potential benefits of digital phenotyping include creating new avenues for treatment and enabling patients to take control of their own well-being. However, this comes at the cost of sacrificing the fundamental human element of psychotherapy, which is crucial to addressing patients' distress. In this viewpoint paper, we discuss the advances rendered possible by digital phenotyping and highlight the risk that this technology may pose by partially excluding health care professionals from the diagnosis and therapeutic process, thereby foregoing an essential dimension of care. We conclude by setting out concrete recommendations on how to improve current digital phenotyping technology so that it can be harnessed to redefine mental health by empowering patients without alienating them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Oudin
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Redwan Maatoug
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Bourla
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
- Medical Strategy and Innovation Department, Clariane, Paris, France
- NeuroStim Psychiatry Practice, Paris, France
| | - Florian Ferreri
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Bonnot
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
- Pays de la Loire Psychology Laboratory, Nantes University, Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Millet
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Félix Schoeller
- Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, Santa Monica, CA, United States
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Stéphane Mouchabac
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Vladimir Adrien
- Infrastructure for Clinical Research in Neurosciences, Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale - Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Paris, France
- Department of Psychiatry, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Public Hospitals of Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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Bakola M, Peritogiannis V, Stuckler D, Kitsou KS, Gourzis P, Hyphantis T, Jelastopulu E. Who is coercively admitted to psychiatric wards? Epidemiological analysis of inpatient records of involuntary psychiatric admissions to a University General Hospital in Greece for the years 2008-2017. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:267-276. [PMID: 35232289 DOI: 10.1177/00207640221081793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Involuntary psychiatric admissions are a widely used practice despite ethical concerns about coercion. There are particular concerns that vulnerable groups, such as single, unemployed or racial minorities, may be more subjected to such practices. AIM We aimed to investigate the social patterns of involuntary psychiatric admissions from 2008 to 2017 at University General Hospital in Ioannina, Greece. METHOD We retrospectively assessed inpatient records from 2008 to 2017 of patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry of the Ioannina University General Hospital, Northwestern Greece. Alternative patients of alternative years were selected for inclusion; this yielded 332 patients involuntarily admitted, corresponding to 28.5% of total involuntary psychiatric admissions. RESULTS Over the 10-year period, the overall numbers of annual involuntary psychiatric admissions remained relatively stable, as did the length of hospital stay (mean = 23.8 days). The most common disorder upon admission was schizophrenia spectrum disorders, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all admissions, followed by mood disorders (about 20%). There was evidence that people who lacked social support or experienced financial hardship were more greatly represented among those admitted: 70.2% of admitted patients were single and 64.8% were unemployed. Most patients had been admitted to the psychiatric ward in the past (64.2%). CONCLUSION Our study indicates potentially worrisome evidence that patients who are in vulnerable positions are at elevated likelihood of being involuntarily admitted to psychiatric wards. Future research is needed to evaluate the socio-demographic patterning of involuntary admissions in other European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bakola
- Postgraduate Program of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Vaios Peritogiannis
- Mobile Mental Health Unit of the Prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Society for the Promotion of Mental Health in Epirus, Ioannina, Greece
| | - David Stuckler
- Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bocconi, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Philippos Gourzis
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Thomas Hyphantis
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Jelastopulu
- Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece
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Schneider M, Back M, Krückl JS, Moeller J, Lang UE, Huber CG. Compulsory psychiatric admissions in the canton of Basel-Stadt between September 2013 and April 2022: Analysis of the cantonal database of the Health Department of Basel-Stadt. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022:207640221141020. [PMID: 36453089 DOI: 10.1177/00207640221141020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to federal and cantonal law, persons with an acute mental illness can be admitted to a psychiatric hospital or another suitable institution against their will, when other therapeutic options are not available or have been exhausted. In the canton of Basel-Stadt, this is the responsibility of public health officers employed by the division of Social Medicine of the cantonal Health Department. AIMS This study aims to elucidate which factors influence the decision-making of public health officers regarding compulsory admissions over the period from September 2013 to April 2022 in the canton of Basel-Stadt. METHOD Leveraging comprehensive clinical data from the health department of the canton Basel-Stadt (N = 5,'550), we estimated a mixed effects logistic regression model to identify factors contributing to the decision of public-health officers to compulsorily admit patients, while controlling for potential clustering effects among public health officers. RESULTS The risk for compulsory admissions was most strongly predicted by the presence of potential self-harm. In comparison, while being a strong predictor, potential harm to others played a considerably lesser role. Furthermore, psychiatric syndrome, previous compulsory admissions, and the specific context of evaluation were significant predictors. Finally, we found no meaningful personal bias among public health officers. CONCLUSION The results suggest that public health officers' decision-making regarding compulsory admissions focuses on preventing self-harm and, to a lesser degree, harm to others. This indicates that such measures are only used as a measure of last resort, which is in line with current evidence regarding the detrimental effects of compulsory measures on treatment outcomes in psychiatry. Our findings suggest that all relevant stakeholders, including the police, share this perspective. Decision-making regarding compulsory admissions was mostly free of personal biases, suggesting adherence to shared professional standards by public health officers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schneider
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Back
- Health Department of Basel-Stadt, Cantonal Medical Service, Social Medicine, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana S Krückl
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julian Moeller
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Undine E Lang
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian G Huber
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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6
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Ferracuti S, Parmigiani G, Catanesi R, Ventriglio A, Napoli C, Mandarelli G. Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in Italy: critical issues in the application of the provisions of law. Int Rev Psychiatry 2021; 33:119-125. [PMID: 32543254 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2020.1772581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation in Italy raises some critical forensic issues. We analysed the sociodemographic, psychopathological, and behavioural characteristics of involuntarily hospitalised psychiatric patients, and the effectiveness of the juridical procedure of guarantee. Case files (n = 2796) related to involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation (IPH) at the Office of the Tutelary Judge of the Ordinary Court of Rome (Italy) between January 2013 and May 2016 were analysed. For each case file sociodemographic, clinical and procedural information were collected. The sample included 53.7% men, patients had a mean age of 41.8 ± 13.9. Most of the IPH proposal certificates reported more than one reason, among which the most frequent were symptoms referring to a psychotic dimension (54.8%), agitation (38.0%), and symptoms of bipolar and related disorders (26.3%) Female patients showed a higher prevalence of symptoms of the bipolar spectrum (F = 29.7%, M = 23.3%; p < 0.05), while male patients showed a higher prevalence of aggressive behaviour (F = 7.7%, M = 12.6%; p < 0.01). Over 85% of the IPH proposal certificates did not explicitly mention issues related to adherence to care, which is the second criterium requested for IH (treatment refusal) and up to 7.3% of the proposals were not properly motivated. However, only 0.8% cases were not validated by the Tutelary Judge. Possible issues in the IPH procedures emerged since a significant number of certifications showed poor concordance with law- criteria for involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation. Despite this evidence, the low rate of unvalidated procedures by the Tutelary Judge, suggests a possible limitation of this form of guarantee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ferracuti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Parmigiani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Catanesi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Christian Napoli
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mandarelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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7
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Mouchabac S, Adrien V, Falala-Séchet C, Bonnot O, Maatoug R, Millet B, Peretti CS, Bourla A, Ferreri F. Psychiatric Advance Directives and Artificial Intelligence: A Conceptual Framework for Theoretical and Ethical Principles. Front Psychiatry 2021; 11:622506. [PMID: 33551883 PMCID: PMC7862130 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.622506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The patient's decision-making abilities are often altered in psychiatric disorders. The legal framework of psychiatric advance directives (PADs) has been made to provide care to patients in these situations while respecting their free and informed consent. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) within Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) may result in improvements for complex decisions that are often made in situations covered by PADs. Still, it raises theoretical and ethical issues this paper aims to address. First, it goes through every level of possible intervention of AI in the PAD drafting process, beginning with what data sources it could access and if its data processing competencies should be limited, then treating of the opportune moments it should be used and its place in the contractual relationship between each party (patient, caregivers, and trusted person). Second, it focuses on ethical principles and how these principles, whether they are medical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice) applied to AI or AI principles (loyalty and vigilance) applied to medicine, should be taken into account in the future of the PAD drafting process. Some general guidelines are proposed in conclusion: AI must remain a decision support system as a partner of each party of the PAD contract; patients should be able to choose a personalized type of AI intervention or no AI intervention at all; they should stay informed, i.e., understand the functioning and relevance of AI thanks to educational programs; finally, a committee should be created for ensuring the principle of vigilance by auditing these new tools in terms of successes, failures, security, and relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Mouchabac
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, iCRIN Psychiatry (Infrastructure of Clinical Research In Neurosciences - Psychiatry), Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Vladimir Adrien
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, iCRIN Psychiatry (Infrastructure of Clinical Research In Neurosciences - Psychiatry), Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Clara Falala-Séchet
- Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes, EA 4057, Institute of Psychology, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Bonnot
- CHU de Nantes, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nantes, France
- Pays de la Loire Psychology Laboratory, EA 4638, Nantes, France
| | - Redwan Maatoug
- Sorbonne Université, iCRIN Psychiatry (Infrastructure of Clinical Research In Neurosciences - Psychiatry), Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Millet
- Sorbonne Université, iCRIN Psychiatry (Infrastructure of Clinical Research In Neurosciences - Psychiatry), Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | | | - Alexis Bourla
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
- Jeanne d'Arc Hospital, INICEA Group, Saint-Mandé, France
| | - Florian Ferreri
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, iCRIN Psychiatry (Infrastructure of Clinical Research In Neurosciences - Psychiatry), Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
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8
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Morán-Sánchez I, Bernal-López MA, Pérez-Cárceles MD. Compulsory admissions and preferences in decision-making in patients with psychotic and bipolar disorders. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2020; 55:571-580. [PMID: 31728560 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-019-01809-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Participation in medical decisions and taking into account patients' values and preferences are especially important for psychiatric patients who may be treated against their will. The increasing rates of coercive measures and the underlying clinical, ethical, and legal issues highlight the need to examine their use in psychiatry. Although limited congruence in decision-making preferences may be on the basis of these coercive practices, this issue has not been adequately addressed. We explore the relationship between compulsory admissions and congruence in decision-making preferences in mental health settings. METHODS Cross-sectional study among 107 outpatients with DSM diagnoses of schizophrenia of bipolar disorder using the Control Preference Scale to assess congruence in decision-making experienced and preferred style. History of compulsory admissions was obtained through review of available records. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses were used. RESULTS 70% of patients reported experiencing their preferred style of decision-making and 44% patients had history of compulsory admissions. These patients were more autonomous and preferred to take a more active role. The degree of congruence was lower in patients with previous compulsory admissions. The best predictors of compulsory admissions were not having a regular doctor and the unmatched participation preferences. CONCLUSIONS Patients who experienced a different level of participation in decision-making than desired more frequently had compulsory admissions. We propose to assess participation preferences each time a relevant treatment decision is about to be made and tailor care accordingly. We identified several factors leading to compulsory admissions that can be modified to prevent further coercive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Morán-Sánchez
- Mental Health Centre, Health Service of Murcia, CSM Cartagena, Calle Real, 8, 30201, Murcia, Spain.
| | - María A Bernal-López
- Mental Health Centre, Health Service of Murcia, CSM Cartagena, Calle Real, 8, 30201, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria D Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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9
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Arnold BD, Moeller J, Hochstrasser L, Schneeberger AR, Borgwardt S, Lang UE, Huber CG. Compulsory Admission to Psychiatric Wards-Who Is Admitted, and Who Appeals Against Admission? Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:544. [PMID: 31447710 PMCID: PMC6695555 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: When persons with a mental illness present a danger to themselves or others, involuntary hospital admission can be used to initiate an immediate inpatient treatment. Often, the patients have the right to appeal against compulsory admission. These processes are implemented in most mental health-care systems, but regulations and legal framework differ widely. In the Swiss canton of Basel-Stadt, a new regulation was implemented in January 2013. While the current literature holds some evidence for factors associated with involuntary admission, knowledge on who uses the right to appeal against admission is sparse. Aims: The study aims to examine if specific sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are associated with involuntary admission and with an appeal against the compulsory admission order. Method: Routine clinical data of all inpatient cases admitted during the period from January 2013 to December 2015 at the Psychiatric University Hospital Basel were extracted. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses were used to examine the association of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with "involuntary admission" and "appeal against compulsory admission order." Results: Of the 8,917 cases included in the present study, 942 (10.6%) were admitted involuntarily. Of these, 250 (26.5%) lodged an appeal against the compulsory admission order. Compared with cases admitted on a voluntary legal status, cases admitted involuntarily were older and were admitted more often during the nighttime or weekend. Moreover, involuntarily admitted cases had more often a principal diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Patients from cases where an appeal was lodged were more often female, had more often Swiss nationality, and were more often diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Conclusion: Despite legal changes, the frequency of involuntary admissions in the observed catchment area seems to be relatively stable across the last 20 years. The percentage of appeals has decreased from 2000 to 2015, and only comparably few patients make use of the possibility to appeal. Better knowledge of the regulations, higher social functioning, and lower insight into illness might be associated with a higher probability of lodging an appeal. Future research should examine if specific patient groups are in need of additional assistance to exert their rights to appeal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Arnold
- Klinik für Erwachsene, Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK), Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julian Moeller
- Klinik für Erwachsene, Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK), Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Hochstrasser
- Klinik für Erwachsene, Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK), Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andres R Schneeberger
- Psychiatrische Dienste Graubünden (PDGR), Chur, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM), Bronx, NY, United States.,Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik (PUK), Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Borgwardt
- Klinik für Erwachsene, Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK), Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Undine E Lang
- Klinik für Erwachsene, Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK), Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian G Huber
- Klinik für Erwachsene, Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK), Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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