[Clinical, legal, and ethical challenges of coercive measures in emergency medicine]

In emergency medicine, physicians frequently use coercive treatment, particularly in cases of serious danger or temporary lack of capacity for discernment. Following a brief epidemiological overview, this article explores the different forms of coercion-pharmacological and physical -, their indications, and associated risks. It then outlines the Swiss legal framework, emphasizing that such measures are strictly governed by the Constitution and the Civil Code, requiring ongoing assessment, thorough documentation, and adherence to specific criteria. Finally, the ethical challenges are discussed through the lens of the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and distributive justice.