Use of Compulsory Treatment by Early-Career Psychiatrists: An International Survey

What is it about?

The current legislation of coercive measures for psychiatric patients varies across countries. In this study we have explored the practices and respective context of compulsorily detaining patients by early career psychiatrists in different countries. Most respondents (96%) agreed in general with their country’s legal mechanism for compulsory treatment: 43% indicated that it should remain unchanged, 53% that it should be revised. More than half of those surveyed reported difficulties providing compulsory psychiatric care. As stakeholders, ECPs must be encouraged and involved in adding their own experience and opinions to the debate on the employment of coercion in psychiatry as an ethical and legal issue.

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