Patients' views of involuntary hospital admission after 1 and 3 months: prospective study in 11 European countries.

BACKGROUND

Legislation and practice of involuntary hospital admission vary substantially among European countries, but differences in outcomes have not been studied.

AIMS

To explore patients' views following involuntary hospitalisation in different European countries.

METHOD

In a prospective study in 11 countries, 2326 consecutive involuntary patients admitted to psychiatric hospital departments were interviewed within 1 week of admission; 1809 were followed up 1 month and 1613 3 months later. Patients' views as to whether the admission was right were the outcome criterion.

RESULTS

In the different countries, between 39 and 71% felt the admission was right after 1 month, and between 46 and 86% after 3 months. Females, those living alone and those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia had more negative views. Adjusting for confounding factors, differences between countries were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

International differences in legislation and practice may be relevant to outcomes and inform improvements in policies, particularly in countries with poorer outcomes.