Nonemergency Forensic Psychiatric House Calls

Abstract

Recent literature on medical house calls in general is not extensive, and that on nonemergency forensic psychiatric calls in particular is nearly nonexistent. Two cases of nonemergency forensic psychiatric house calls are described in this communication; it is our contention that they led the psychiatrist to a better appraisal of the person's capacity to perform than would have been expected from office visits. One situation involved testamentary capacity; the other, possible abrogation of parental rights. In our estimation the individual, as well as the legal system, would benefit if this type of house call were promoted.