The effect of legal representation on clinical measures in involuntarily admitted psychiatric patients: a retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most western countries provide funded legal representation (LR) for involuntarily admitted psychiatric patients appearing before judicial committees. In 2004, an amendment to the Israeli Mental Health Act granted this right to involuntarily committed psychiatric patients. Psychiatrists then voiced concerns that LR may increase rates of premature discharge and compromise patients' safety and well-being. These worries have not been sufficiently addressed to date. This study aimed to provide answers to their concerns.

Methods

This study included 3124 and 3434 inpatients involuntarily admitted to psychiatric facilities in 2000 and in 2010 (respectively), prior to and after the introduction of LR in Israel. Data were acquired from the Israeli National Psychiatric Hospi

SUBMITTER: Cohen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11448244 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature