Decision making process for compulsory admission: study on a group of psychiatrists from Sardinia (Italy)

Abstract

Our results confirm that, in three different hypothetical situations, there is agreement in the factors perceived as the most important in the decision to admit compulsorily, although their application is highly subjective. The factors correspond to those recommended by the Italian Law 180. The need for protection of the patient or others has an important role in the decision and may take precedence over the current mental state of the patients [corrected].

Psychiatric diagnosis and aggression before acute hospitalisation

“…Compulsory admission is an obvious correlate of aggression although the Italian Psychiatric Reform (Law 180) specifies that the criteria required for the involuntary admission of a patient to a psychiatric ward are the severity of the psychiatric illness, lack of insight, the impossibility of providing adequate treatment outside the hospital. This is confirmed by the study of Dazzan et al [10], who investigated attitudes towards compulsory admission and found that the most important related factors were current mental state, diagnosis and severity of the illness, and the possible contribution of medical treatment; however, perceived dangerousness to self and others was considered the most important factor by 23% of the sample. The authors concluded that the need to protect the patient or others plays an important role in decision making and may take precedence over the patient's current mental state.…”