Prevalence and management of patients with outpatient commitment in the mental health services

Abstract

Background People with mental health problems are mostly treated within the community. The law allows for the use of compulsory mental health care both in hospital and in the community. Various forms of outpatient commitment (OC) have been adopted in much European legislation. To be subjected to OC is a serious intervention in a person’s life. Aim The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge about patients who undergo OC. The study explores the incidence and prevalence of OC in a geographical area, the central characteristics of the sample, and how the framework for follow-up treatment for patients to resolve OC works. Methods The data were collected from a review of electronic patient records. The statistical methods used in this study were descriptive analysis, with frequency analysis and cross-tabulation analysis. Results The main finding in the present study is that the use of OC has increased. An important finding is that most of the patients have a decision made for OC that is justified by the treatment criterion. The present study shows that there is insufficient documentation on statutory responsibilities for follow-up treatment of patients with an OC. Conclusions This study shows that the use of OC has increased. It should be considered whether implemented measures to reduce the use of coercion have the desired effect.

Keywords:

• Psychosis
• coercion
• outpatient commitment
• treatment follow-up

Acknowledgements

We thank the Innlandet Hospital Trust for participating in the study. M.L. conducted the statistical analyses and also wrote the first draft of the manuscript, E.H. contributed to the analyses and participated in critical revision of manuscript drafts, A.G. reviewed the analysis and participated in critical revision of manuscript drafts, K.N. reviewed the analysis and contributed to the writing process, T.S. collected data and designed the tables and figures. All authors approved the final version.

Disclosure statement

We thank Tvangsforsk (The Norwegian Research Network on Coercion in Mental Health) at the University of Tromsø for financial contributions so that we could start the study. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.