Practices and attitudes among Swedish psychiatrists regarding the ethics of compulsory treatment.
Few empirical studies have examined the attitudes and ethical beliefs of psychiatrists. In this study, 328 members of the Swedish Psychiatric Association were randomly selected to respond to a questionnaire containing three clinical vignettes examining involuntary hospitalization, other compulsory interventions, and restraint. The questionnaire also contained 16 controversial statements and items on the abuse of psychiatry. A 60% response rate was obtained. Psychiatrists' responses were influenced not only by the severity of and risks associated with the patient's disorder, but also by family pressure which affected the decision-making process. Female psychiatrists less often suggested the use of physical restraints and the compulsory use of ECT. Sexual misconduct, and also the inadequate treatment of refugees, were the most frequently reported forms of abuse of psychiatry.
Kullgren
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, Umeå University, Sweden.
Jacobsson
L
L
Lynöe
N
N
Kohn
R
R
Levav
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D026706:Paternalism; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D011570:Psychiatry; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013548:Sweden