Enforced dismissal of Dutch patients who are not motivated to leave forensic psychiatric settings and treatment--is it ethically acceptable?
The ethical issues surrounding enforced release of forensic psychiatric patients are discussed in this article. Some patients disagree with their discharge because they are convinced that they need the continued structure of the hospital setting and the social relationships with fellow patients and therapists. They fear that without this structure they will unable to cope with the challenges of life in society and the consequence could be relapse and recidivism. Suggestions for guidelines on a practical approach to this category of forensic patients are presented.
W. Kahn Institute of Theoretical Psychiatry and Neuroscience.
W H J
WH
Martens
D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D009426:Netherlands; D010351:Patient Discharge