title: [Psychiatric treatment--legal aspects].
abstract: Doctors want to save lives and promote health. But their patients have the right to decide for themselves about what doctors do with them, and they are free to refuse treatment, even if it is unreasonable from a medical perspective. The law acknowledges this freedom even if a patient is incapable of responsible self-determination as a result of (mental) illness. Treatment contrary to the patient's declared intention will be allowed only under specific, narrow circumstances. These requirements must be legally established in a clear and precise manner.
authors.affiliation: Vorsitzender Richter am Landgericht Göttingen.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
mesh_terms: D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology