[Voluntariness and coercion in patients with schizophrenia].
OBJECTIVE
Associations between voluntariness of treatment, success of treatment, and number of hospital admissions should be examined.


METHODS
88 consecutive admissions with ICD-10 F2 disorders were assessed using the PANSS and the GAF at admission and discharge. Voluntariness was assessed regarding admission, hospital stay, medication, time of discharge, and treatment continuation in four degrees for each category.


RESULTS
Voluntariness increased significantly with the number of hospital admissions in women. Outcome measures (PANSS and GAF differences admission/discharge and the respective differences divided by number of inpatient days) were not significantly related to any aspect of voluntariness. Voluntariness was negatively associated with PANSS-scores at admission, but not at discharge. Aggressive behaviour and coercive measures were observed more frequently in patients with aspects of involuntariness.


CONCLUSIONS
The short-term success of treatment in acute schizophrenic episodes seems not to be affected by measures of compulsive treatment. There is some evidence that experiences with former inpatient treatment increase the degree of voluntariness in women.
Steinert
Tilman
T
Zentrum für Psychiatrie Die Weissenau, Abt. Psychiatrie I der Universität Ulm. tilman.steinert@zfp-weissenau.de
Schmid
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003068:Coercion; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors