title: Involuntary outpatient commitment.
abstract: This article offers a novel approach to outpatient commitment (OPC). After distinguishing 4 varieties of OPC, the article shows how 3 are easy to justify, whereas "preventive outpatient commitment" (POC) requires more careful scrutiny. The article argues that, as a general matter, POC is not justified, except for on a "one free shot" basis. The hope is that patients will come to appreciate the benefits of treatment in the community and will become voluntarily compliant; after one free shot, they are in a much better position to decide. The consequences of noncompliance are also explored.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, The Law School, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071, USA. esaks@law.usc.edu
authors.forename: Elyn R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Saks
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D003068:Coercion; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000592:standards*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000941:ethics; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D016312:Treatment Refusal
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs