Compulsory treatment at home: Studies investigating the experiences of patients, significant others and mental health workers regarding the implementation of compulsory treatment in the patient’s home in the Netherlands.

This thesis contains several qualitative studies investigating the expectations and experiences of stakeholders concerning the implementation of compulsory treatment in the community (CCT) and especially compulsory treatment at home (CTH) in the Netherlands.
Overall, the findings from the stakeholders’ interviews suggest that the majority of stakeholders favor a system that includes CCT, valuing advantages over disadvantages. Prior to the introduction of CTH, most stakeholders were critical about it. Compared to the generally critical expectations of stakeholders before the introduction of CTH, first experiences appear to be more positive. Participants supported a system with possibilities for CTH. However, they also expressed their concerns, noting that CTH is an infringement on the autonomy and privacy of the patients.
Based on the perspectives of stakeholders investigated in this study, we propose that CTH can be a viable option for patients, specifically for those with a longer treatment history. Particularly when the mental health team is familiar with the patient, and when the home environment is suitable for receiving treatment at home. Additionally, both the patient and their significant others must prefer CTH over treatment in hospital. A key prerequisite for the implementation of CTH is the establishment of a dialogue in advance, during which a comprehensive crisis plan is developed. CTH is an option for achieving an individually tailored approach and should be seen as part of a spectrum of options for providing care, not as a means by itself.