Huber CG, Steiger S, Möller J, Lang UE. [The Attitude of the Public Concerning Coercive Measures in Psychiatric Patients].
FORTSCHRITTE DER NEUROLOGIE-PSYCHIATRIE 2023. [PMID:
37044116 DOI:
10.1055/a-2036-7780]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine the attitude of the general public in Basel concerning the use of coercive measures while dealing with psychiatric patients. The common population indirectly governs the use of coercive measures in psychiatry by its stigmatization of people with psychiatric illnesses, and its attitude towards treatment in psychiatry and by local opinion leaders and reactions of social networks.
METHODS
The answers of 1,112 persons from a representative population survey were evaluated. Participants were mailed case vignettes and questionnaires, and asked if they considered involuntary admission, coercive medication, and/or seclusion as acceptable measures in dealing with psychiatric patients.
RESULTS
When symptoms of a psychotic disorder were present, 31.5% approved of at least one coercive measure, with 22% approval in the case of a borderline personality disorder, and 20.7% in the case of alcohol dependency. However, the overall rejection of coercive measures by the general public in Basel was high. The differential approval of the examined coercive measures depending on psychiatric symptoms was in line with professional medical and ethical guidelines.
CONCLUSION
Public attitudes have an indirect influence on the local use of coercive measures and should be included in the specialist psychiatric discourse.
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