PubMed · 14639971
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Pat Healy. Balancing act.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14639971/
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AIMS: A standardised and systematic analysis of commitment laws in the EU-Member States is still missing. This study aimed at gathering, describing and analysing information on the differences or similarities of legal frameworks for involuntary placement and treatment of mentally ill patients across the European Union Member States. METHOD: Information was gathered by means of a detailed questionnaire filled in by experts from all EU Member States. Legal criteria for compulsory admission, details of the assessment and decision process of compulsory admission and epidemiological data are outlined. RESULTS: Although common patterns among Member States can be identified upon comparison of crucial legislative or procedural details, these patterns are far from being consistent across all analysed items or approaches. With regard to compulsory admission quotas no significant influence of legal commitment criteria and the involvement of judicial authorities could be found but Member States with an obligatory inclusion of a legal representative during the commitment procedure showed significantly lower compulsory admission quotas. CONCLUSION: Results of this study show the strong necessity for further research in this field. Common international health reporting standards as annually updated involuntary placement rates detailed for regular and emergency cases seem to be essential.
BACKGROUND: Despite the tendency for harmonisation of strategies for mental health care delivery, rules and regulations for involuntary placement or treatment of mentally ill persons still differ remarkably internationally. Rapid European integration and other political developments require valid and reliable international overviews, sound studies and profound analyses of this controversial issue. AIMS: To give an overview of compulsory admission data from official sources across the European Union (EU). METHOD: Data on the legal frameworks for involuntary placement or treatment of people with mental illness and their outcomes were provided and assessed by experts from all EU member states. RESULTS: Total frequencies of admission and compulsory admission rates vary remarkably across the EU. Variation hints at the influence of differences in legal frameworks or procedures. Time series suggest an overall tendency towards more or less stable quotas in most member states. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is greatly needed in this field. Common international health reporting standards are essential to the compilation of basic data.