[Involuntary outpatient treatment]

Much has been written about involuntary outpatient treatment, both in Israel and abroad. Since the amendment of the law in Israel in 1991, there is an option for compulsory outpatient treatment that is Less confining than hospitalization. Research has noted its efficacy in avoiding exacerbation of the mental state, repeat hospitalizations and involvement in dangerous activities among patients with low compliance to treatment. In practice, there is no mechanism for implementation or enforcement. Thus, the main difficulty noted by Spinzy and Krieger, is the lack of tools to supervise involuntary outpatient treatment, thereby making it difficult to implement the law of involuntary outpatient treatment ordered by the regional psychiatrist. In addition, the court interpreted the law in a manner that prevents taking measures against the patient who does not comply with compulsory outpatient treatment unless his condition is so severe that it requires court ordered hospitalization. The issue becomes more problematic with court ordered compulsory outpatient treatment. In the United States there is Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in 42 states. The criteria include dangerousness to the environment, harm to self, or severe inability to care for one's self. AOT helps prevent hospitalizations and improves the outcome of treatment. According to "Kendra's Law" in the United States, the Court detaiLs the biological and psychosocial treatment programs in the court order recommendations: The recommendations include: create uniformity, determine a mechanism of action, assign skilled manpower to implement compulsory outpatient treatment, establish a plan for compulsory outpatient treatment, and create a legal mechanism to supervise patients in court ordered outpatient treatment. In conclusion, determining a mechanism for intervention, implementation and supervision of compulsory outpatient treatment is first and foremost in the best interest of: the patient, who does not want his condition to deteriorate to rehospitalization, the caregivers, for whom the mechanism will help provide medical care, and for society, which will be better protected.