In British Columbia, individuals with a mental disorder can be hospitalised
against their will under the Mental Health Act (1999), when a physician determines that
"protection of the person or others" is an issue. Involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation
involves a major infringement of an individual's civil liberty. When patients or their
representatives disagree with the treatment teams about their involuntary
hospitalisation, they can apply for an appeal hearing named the review panel under the
Mental Health Act (1999).
From a theoretical perspective, the traditional medical model and the social
constructionist model, which offer different views concerning individuals with mental
illness who are hospitalised against their will, are presented. This theoretical contrast
underscores a major dilemma faced by mental health professionals in fostering client
self-determination, while they are providing services on the principle of beneficent
protection. An empowerment model of social work practice is then described to
illustrate how services can be provided to help mental patients regain a sense of control
over their lives. Concerns about the current legislation regarding involuntary
hospitalisation are also discussed.
To supplement the limited number of studies currently available on review
panels, a quantitative descriptive study was conducted at Riverview Hospital, the only
tertiary psychiatric hospital in British Columbia, surveying the experiences of 39 social
workers and physicians with review panels. A questionnaire consisting of 22 Likerttype
items was used. Four categories were identified: (a) patient-related issues, (b)
effects of review panels on treatment teams, (c) role conflicts, and (d) operational
issues. Despite the apparent lack of formal training, social workers and physicians
generally reported having adequate knowledge of review panels. Social workers and
physicians who were involved more frequently with review panels appeared to have
more positive attitudes towards them. Their training pertaining to the Mental Health
Act was also significantly related to their attitudes. Neither patients nor their families
reportedly had adequate knowledge of the review panel process.
Although some positive effects of review panels were acknowledged, staff
generally had mixed attitudes about review panels. Guided by an empowerment model,
these findings have important implications for social work practice. These include the
need for further professional training, improved communication between health
professionals and legal advocates, education for patients and families, and the support
of patients' collective action, so that review panels can be a more empowering
experience for mental patients.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/12301 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Yip, So-han Seraphina |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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