PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Britta Jepsen
AU  - Kirsten Lomborg
AU  - Marianne Engberg
TI  - GPs and involuntary admission: a qualitative study
AID  - 10.3399/bjgp10X515115
DP  - 2010 Aug 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 604--606
VI  - 60
IP  - 577
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/60/577/604.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/60/577/604.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2010 Aug 01; 60
AB  - Background In many countries, medical authorities are responsible for involuntary admissions of mentally ill patients. Nonetheless, very little is known about GPs' experiences with involuntary admission.Aim The aim of the present study was to explore GP's experiences from participating in involuntary admissions.Setting General practice, Aarhus, Denmark.Method One focus group interview and six individual interviews were conducted with 13 Danish GPs, who had recently sectioned one of their own patients.Results GPs experienced stress and found the admission procedure time consuming. They felt that sectioning patients was unpleasant, and felt nervous, but experienced relief and professional satisfaction if things went well. The GPs experienced the doctor–patient relationship to be at risk, but also reported that it could be improved. GPs felt that they were not taken seriously by the psychiatric system.Conclusion The unpleasant experiences and induced feelings resulting from involuntary admissions reflect an undesirable and stressful working environment.