title: Involuntary Hospitalization of Patients With Mental Disorders: Knowledge of Health Professionals.
abstract: A descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach was undertaken to describe the knowledge of health professionals at a psychiatric hospital about involuntary hospitalization. Health professionals from the admission ward of a psychiatric hospital located in an inner city of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in the study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with sixteen health professionals and the analysis was based on thematic analysis. The professionals' lack of knowledge about involuntary hospitalizations was evidenced, including unfamiliarity with the modalities of psychiatric hospitalization, confusion to understand involuntary and compulsory hospitalization as well as the role of the public prosecutor in these cases. In that sense, the study participants' lack of knowledge and, on the other hand, the inertia of the public prosecutor's office can hamper the full enjoyment of rights by persons with mental disorders. In this scenario, psychiatric health professionals should know and understand the legislation as well their responsibility according to it, combining political with theoretical-technical knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: caaventu@eerp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Carla Aparecida
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Arena Ventura
authors.affiliation: University of Uberaba, Nene Sabino Avenue, 1802, University District, Uberaba, MG. Electronic address: mrcna13@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Marciana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernandes Moll
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; University President Antonio Carlos, Senator Pena Street, 521, Uberaba, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: correia.rubens@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rubens
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: Hospital of the Botucatu Medical School, Joao Passos Street, 2740, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: vivianabtu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Viviana Carolina
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Oyan de Moraes
authors.affiliation: University of Uberaba, Alumínio Street, 57, Leblon, Uberaba, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: lucasduarteslv@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duarte Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Especialized Nursing at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Brazil. Electronic address: iamendes@usp.br.
authors.forename: Isabel Amélia
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Costa Mendes
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D036301:Qualitative Research