Related Experiment Videos
Treatment refusal among forensic inpatients.
J T Young1, J D Bloom, L R Faulkner
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Involuntarily committed patients have a qualified right to refuse treatment in some states. This study examines Oregon
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Mental Health Law
- Patient Rights
Background:
- The legal and ethical debate surrounding involuntarily committed patients' right to refuse treatment continues.
- There is ongoing discussion regarding procedural protections for overriding non-emergency treatment refusal.
- The United States Supreme Court has not definitively ruled on this matter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Oregon's administrative approach to treatment refusal by involuntarily committed patients.
- To analyze the characteristics and refusal patterns of forensic patients in a state hospital.
- To describe the implications of treatment refusal in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Review of Oregon's administrative procedures for treatment refusal.
- Analysis of data from 33 state hospital forensic patients who refused treatment.
- Description of patient characteristics and refusal patterns.
Main Results:
- Oregon's administrative approach was applied to 33 forensic patients.
- Patient characteristics and specific refusal patterns were documented.
- The implications of treatment refusal for patient care were examined.
Conclusions:
- Oregon's administrative approach provides a framework for managing treatment refusal.
- Understanding patient characteristics and refusal patterns is crucial for clinical and legal decision-making.
- Further research is needed to refine procedural protections and best practices.