title: Defining outcome measures of hospitalization for assessment in the Japanese forensic mental health scheme: a Delphi study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A new legislation concerning forensic mental health was established by the Japanese Government in 2005, the "Act on Medical Care and Treatment for the Persons Who Had Caused Serious Cases under the Condition of Insanity," or the Medical Treatment and Supervision (MTS) Act. Since it was passed, however, there has been broad controversy over Hospitalization for Assessment (HfA), the first stage of the MTS scheme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following a comprehensive literature search to assemble a list of candidates, we conducted a Delphi study to establish standard outcome measures for HfA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five Delphi rounds were conducted by 19 panelists including medical practitioners and lawyers. A total of 139 items were accepted as outcome measures for HfA based on panel agreement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Delphi study established a list of HfA outcome measures for the MTS act, which will contribute to the optimization of the new forensic mental health system in Japan.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan ; Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Shiina
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan ; Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan ; Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Masaomi
authors: M
authors: Iyo
authors: Division of Law and Psychiatry, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan.
authors: Yoshito
authors: Y
authors: Igarashi
keywords: Delphi study; Forensic mental health; Hospitalization for Assessment; Outcome measure; the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act