Friday, July 16, 2004

Effect of joint crisis plans on use of compulsory treatment in psychiatry
Article in the British Medical Journal based on a study designed to "investigate whether a form of advance agreement for people with severe mental illness can reduce the use of inpatient services and compulsory admission or treatment." The authors conclude that "Use of joint crisis plans reduced compulsory admissions and treatment in patients with severe mental illness. The reduction in overall admission was less. This is the first structured clinical intervention that seems to reduce compulsory admission and treatment in mental health services."