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

BackgroundLegislation and practice of involuntary hospital admission varysubstantially among European countries, but differences in outcomes havenot been studied.AimsTo explore patients' views following involuntary hospitalisation indifferent European countries.MethodIn a prospective study in 11 countries, 2326 consecutive involuntarypatients admitted to psychiatric hospital departments were interviewedwithin 1 week of admission; 1809 were followed up 1 month and 1613 3months later. Patients' views as to whether the admission was right werethe outcome criterion.ResultsIn the different countries, between 39 and 71% felt the admission wasright after 1 month, and between 46 and 86% after 3 months. Females,those living alone and those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia had morenegative views. Adjusting for confounding factors, differences betweencountries were significant.ConclusionsInternational differences in legislation and practice may be relevant tooutcomes and inform improvements in policies, particularly in countrieswith poorer outcomes.