[Coercive Interventions in Psychiatry: Prevention and Patients' Preferences].

This study explores patients' preferences and measures of prevention of coercive methods in psychiatric treatment. Structured interviews of 90 patients with psychotic disorders were undertaken, most of whom had previously experienced coercive methods. Participants saw preventive potential in a wider availability of individual non-pharmacological therapy, improvement of staff professional competence and communication skills, high staff-to-patient ratios and retreat facilities. The majority of participants preferred forced medication and manual restraint in case of self-endangerment, and forced medication and mechanical restraint in the event of endangerment of others. Patients' suggestions relating to prevention of coercion are in line with most expert's opinions. In case coercive methods are required, manual restraint and application of forced medication is accepted as the treatment of choice according to most patients in case of self-endangerment.