Understanding Involuntary Hospitalization Applications Submitted to an Urban Police Department

What is it about?

We studied why healthcare workers in Boston, Massachusetts, sometimes ask for certain people to be transported to a hospital against their will for a psychiatric evaluation. Our research found patterns linked to race. Often, the healthcare professionals making these decisions have not evaluated the individual on the day they are recommending the involuntary hospital transport for an eventual psychiatric evaluation. There are also instances where crucial details are left out. This puts police in a tough spot, having to make calls without all the necessary information. It's essential to dive deeper into this topic to ensure everyone's rights and safety are properly considered.

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