Legally untreatable--a new category of long stay patient?
The case is presented of a young and violent chronic schizophrenic patient whose symptoms respond to antipsychotic medication but who was recorded, at a time when he was deemed competent, as expressing a wish that he should not be given antipsychotic treatment. Under the present usage of the Ontario Mental Health Act, substitute consent givers are bound by such a "prior competent wish" and this patient must now be considered one of a growing group of "legally untreatable" psychotic patients.
Chan
M P
MP
Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, Queen's University, Ontario.
Conacher
G N
GN
D000328:Adult; D016223:Advance Directives; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007872:Legal Guardians; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014754:Violence
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents