Taking an Evidence-Based Approach to Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization

The field of psychiatry has placed a growing emphasis on research-based diagnostic and treatment practices related to mental illness. Involuntary hospitalization is a controver-sial and potentially lifesaving intervention in psychiatric care; yet, to what degree is this practice evidence based? This Open Forum examines the ethical and logistical limitations to traditional research, such as randomized controlled trials and observational studies, surrounding involuntary psychi-atric hospitalization. Given recent efforts across the United States to expand the use of involuntary hospitalization, the authors call for systematic data collection to monitor, study, and guide the use of this intervention.