Abstract
Civil commitment statutes authorize involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in many countries. However, a pandemic disrupts the balance of ethical principles for involuntary hospitalization. Some patients will continue to require and to benefit from involuntary psychiatric care during a pandemic, but involuntary hospitalization also brings unique risks of infectious disease transmission that warrant consideration. In addition, changes to inpatient policies geared toward mitigating transmission risks may shape the effectiveness of involuntary care. Using a framework of four ethical principles—autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice—this article examines the shifting ethics of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers suggestions for clinicians navigating these ethical dilemmas.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
