title: Prevalence and management of patients with outpatient commitment in the mental health services.
abstract: Background People with mental health problems are mostly treated within the community. The law allows for the use of compulsory mental health care both in hospital and in the community. Various forms of outpatient commitment (OC) have been adopted in much European legislation. To be subjected to OC is a serious intervention in a person's life. Aim The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge about patients who undergo OC. The study explores the incidence and prevalence of OC in a geographical area, the central characteristics of the sample, and how the framework for follow-up treatment for patients to resolve OC works. Methods The data were collected from a review of electronic patient records. The statistical methods used in this study were descriptive analysis, with frequency analysis and cross-tabulation analysis. Results The main finding in the present study is that the use of OC has increased. An important finding is that most of the patients have a decision made for OC that is justified by the treatment criterion. The present study shows that there is insufficient documentation on statutory responsibilities for follow-up treatment of patients with an OC. Conclusions This study shows that the use of OC has increased. It should be considered whether implemented measures to reduce the use of coercion have the desired effect.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Mental Health Care , Innlandet Hospital Trust , Brumunddal , Norway ;
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Løvsletten
authors.affiliation: b Division of Mental Health Care , Innlandet Hospital Trust , Reinsvoll , Norway ;
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Public Health , Hedmark University College , Elverum , Norway ;
authors.forename: Arild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Granerud
authors.affiliation: d Division of Mental Health Care , Innlandet Hospital Trust , Sanderud , Norway ;
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nordby
authors.affiliation: e Occupational Therapist, Division of Mental Health Care , Innlandet Hospital Trust , Sanderud , Norway.
authors.forename: Toril
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smaaberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003068:Coercion; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Psychosis; coercion; outpatient commitment; treatment follow-up