Psychiatry and the Legal Rights of Patients

This study of psychiatric personnel involved with admissions procedures at a leading New England mental health center demonstrates on a small scale that the psychiatric community is generally unaware of patients' legal rights at the time of their admission and during subsequent hospitalization. The hospital staff's awareness of these rights can mean the difference between incarceration and freedom for the patient. The authors conclude that there is a need for educational programs on law for psychiatric personnel; they suggest possible approaches.