Social Workers' and Physicians' Experiences with Review Panels in British Columbia

Abstract

Involuntary psychiatric commitment involves a major infringement of a person's civil liberty. In British Columbia, the Mental Health Act (1999) provides a statutory basis for a review of a patient's involuntary status via the review panel. The inherently adversarial nature of review panels may lead to mixed feelings among mental health professionals who are in a dilemma of fostering client self-determination while providing services on the principle of beneficent protection. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted at the provincial psychiatric hospital in British Columbia, surveying the experiences of 39 social workers and physicians with review panels. A questionnaire consisting of 22 Likert-type statements was used. Four categories were identified, namely, (a) patient-related issues, (b) effects of review panels on treatment teams, (c) role conflicts, and (d) operational issues. Despite the apparent lack of formal training, social workers and physicians reported having adequate knowledge of review panels. Although some positive effects of review panels were acknowledged, staff had mixed attitudes towards review panels. Guided by an empowerment model of social work practice, these findings have important implications for social work practice. These include the need for further professional training, improved communication between staff and legal advocates, education for families, and providing support for patients so that review panels would become a more empowering experience for the patients.