University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Swartz MS, Swanson JW, Wagner HR, et al . Can involuntary outpatient commitment reduce hospital recidivism?: Findings from a randomized trial with severely mentally ill individuals. Am J Psychiatry 1999 Dec;156:1968–75.QUESTIONS: In patients with severe mental illness, is involuntary outpatient commitment effective in reducing rehospitalisations and is effectiveness dependent on a sustained exposure to court ordered treatment? For what clinical groups is involuntary commitment most effective?
Source of funding: National Institute of Mental Health.
For correspondence: Dr M S Swartz, Box 3173, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Fax +1 919 681 7504.
