Abstract
Involuntary treatment is burdened by the lack of evidence. One of the challenges is the difference in practice across borders in Europe. While reviewing the current literature, a proposal of monitoring guidelines is discussed. The field is characterized by a small number of dedicated researchers. A study of violence in first-episode psychosis shows that differences in criteria for involuntary admission lead to different prognosis for the patients. The most recent contributions from the cross-national EUNOMIA study point to great variation across countries, regarding frequencies of involuntary admission as well as outcome. The EUNOMIA study provides suggestions for good quality in involuntary admission. A Cochrane review has examined the evidence of involuntary community treatment compared with standard treatment. The effectiveness of involuntary community treatment is limited. The review concludes that the benefits for a small number of patients are outweighed by the high numbers needed to treat in terms of avoided re-admission. Despite pioneering work, involuntary treatment is still caught up in tradition. There is a lack of standard and proof of effectiveness. A proposal of monitoring guidelines for involuntary measures is a first step to improve the situation.
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