[Compulsory measures in psychiatry. A review of the first year after introduction of the new law].

A prospective survey of all registered treatment or measures carried out against the wishes of the patients during the first year after enforcement of the new Danish legislation in 1989 in the Psychiatric Hospital in Aalborg is presented. A total of 376 treatment situations and measures were registered. These involved 235 patients. It was found that 79 forced admissions had occurred together with 36 situations where patients who had been admitted voluntarily were forced to remain in hospital. The survey does not demonstrate any major change in the pattern of enforced measures and treatment after introduction of the new legislation. The working conditions for the new advisors for patients prescribed by the new law are described. These were found to be badly paid, idealistic and hard working. The daily administration of the law has been found to be quite bureaucratic. In addition, complains by patients concerning enforced measures and treatment are described. It is found that no verdicts contradict the steps taken by the hospital.