title: Social circumstances reports--a critical evaluation.
abstract: A retrospective analysis was taken of the content of 50 Social Circumstances Reports. On average only 25% of the information contained within reports described current social circumstances, the rest being devoted to information largely contained within the patient's psychiatric case notes and to the Mental Health Officer's own opinions on management. The structure of the reports mirrored the requirements of the Mental Welfare Commission rather than the needs of the Responsible Medical officer, indicating a need for further clarification of the role of the Mental Health Officer in the management of detained patients.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Psychiatry, Murray Royal Hospital, Perth.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Larmour
mesh_terms: D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D001523:Mental Disorders; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D012924:Social Conditions; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric