J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2012 May;51(3):107-112. 10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.3.107.

Medicoethical Aspect of Involuntary and Compulsory Admission

• Chung YI
• Lee YM

• KMID: 2194606
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.3.107

Abstract

Involuntary and compulsive admission can damage a patient's autonomy from a medicoethical aspect, but the patient who cannot understand information and explanations from a psychiatrist due to impaired judgment and lacks insight can have impaired judgment in certain circumstances. The decision making of a patient without substantial autonomy in a psychotic or intoxicated state can be justly neglected by the psychiatrist for the patient's sake. Compulsory admission is generally permitted only in case that a patient presents a danger to himself or others, which is not of a benefit to the patient not in danger because of the loss of the opportunity to take appropriate treatment. This enables psychiatrists not to abuse medical paternalism and to protect from the damage to patient's autonomy and civil right. Compulsive admission can be ethically justified to keep the principle of the least restrictive treatment and the patient's right to appropriate treatment. Psychiatrists should help enhance the patient's underestimated autonomy on the basis of the limited paternalism.

Keyword

Autonomy; Ethics; Involuntary and compulsory admission; Paternalism

MeSH Terms

Civil Rights
Decision Making
Humans
Judgment
Paternalism
Patient Rights
Psychiatry

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