[Involuntary medication in psychiatry]

(Medikamentöse Zwangsbehandlung in der Psychiatrie.)

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
A systematic review should take into account epidemiological, clinical, ethical, and legal aspects.

METHOD:
Search for literature was performed by Medline and Medpilot, guidelines were obtained via the internet or from own ongoing research projects.

RESULTS:
Epidemiological data on the frequency of involuntary medication is only scarcely available. The incidence on psychiatric wards seems to be between 2 % and 8 % of patients, predominantly with schizophrenic or bipolar disorder. In general, the efficacy of involuntary medication has been poorly evaluated in inpatients, two randomised controlled trials from the U. S. are available regarding involuntary outpatient commitment including involuntary medication. Therefore, the empirical database on aspects of clinical safety of involuntary medication is quite small. However, a considerable body of literature exists with respect to patients' opinions on involuntary medication, mostly demonstrating a highly critical attitude. Some European countries already have guidelines, but the overall situation suggests the need for further improvement. In 2004, the EU Council ratified a guideline for future European legislation on involuntary treatment of people with serious mental illness (white paper).

DISCUSSION:
A very controversial discussion of former years has become more reasonable, ideological anti-psychiatric criticism being increasingly replaced by search for evidence, development of guidelines, clearer legislation, and a tendency of European harmonization.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Steinert, Tilman (T); Kallert, Thomas W (TW);

Affiliation: Psychiatrische Versorgungsforschung am Zentrum für Psychiatrie, Die Weissenau, Abt. Psychiatrie I der Universität Ulm. tilman.steinert(-atsign-)zfp-weissenau.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Psychiatrische Praxis (Psychiatr Prax), published in Germany. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2006-May; vol 33 (issue 4) : pp 160-9

Dates: Created 2006/05/08; Completed 2006/09/01; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16680623, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Antipsychotic Agents - administration & dosage
Commitment of Mentally Ill - legislation & jurisprudence
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drug Toxicity
Ethics, Medical
Europe

Humans
Incidence
Informed Consent - legislation & jurisprudence
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Psychotic Disorders - drug therapy
Treatment Refusal - legislation & jurisprudence

Associated Chemicals: Antipsychotic Agents (0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.