title: A retrospective study of judicial encounters of young adults with congenital heart disease.
abstract: Young people with congenital heart disease are often marginalised and may compensate for restricted physical and social abilities by substance abuse or risk-taking behaviour. We report on the judicial encounters of patients in an Adult Congenital Heart unit. Fifteen patients had court appearances and all were male. Seven served jail sentences, including four indigenous adolescents. All had multiple interventions for their cardiac conditions and four are now deceased. The majority of patients had mental health issues and substance misuse. These patients need psychological and medical support, and help with judicial authorities. Recommendations for ongoing care are provided.
authors: The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia Theresa_Malpas@health.qld.gov.au.
authors: Theresa M
authors: TM
authors: Malpas
authors: The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia.
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: George
authors: The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia.
authors: Jillian M
authors: JM
authors: Kaisar
authors: The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia The University of Queensland, Australia.
authors: Dorothy J
authors: DJ
authors: Radford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adult congenital heart disease; court; judicial; mental health; substance misuse