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Social workers’ and physicians’ experiences with review panels in British Columbia Yip, So-han Seraphina
Abstract
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.
Item Metadata
Title |
Social workers’ and physicians’ experiences with review panels in British Columbia
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2002
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Description |
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.
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Extent |
8037651 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-08-17
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0090317
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2002-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.