ZAKONSKA REGULATIVA PRIMJENA MJERA PRISILE U BOSNI I HERCEGOVINI
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE APPLICATION OF COERCIVE MEASURES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Summary/Abstract: Coercive measures include involuntary hospitalization and the physical restriction of the movement of persons with mental disorders. These measures are implemented in situations where individuals with mental disorders, due to the nature of their condition, lack adequate insight into their mental state and, as a result of their behavior, pose a serious risk to themselves or others. For this reason, in accordance with the Law on Mental Health Protection, involuntary admission to a psychiatric institution is considered the only way to provide necessary medical care. These measures are carried out by a specialist in psychiatry or a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry. Information on such measures must be recorded in medical documentation. Many countries place special emphasis on the legal protection of persons with mental disorders in order to prevent the misuse of these measures. The legal frameworks and procedures governing coercive measures differ from country to country. Ethically, the application of coercive measures constitutes a limitation of patient autonomy, and every effort should be made to avoid their use whenever possible. Part of the problem can bead dressed by familiarity with legal provisions related to persons with mental disorders, while another part can be mitigated through zero tolerance for violations of ethical codes in medical and nursing practice. The aim of this paper is to explain the legal regulations concerning the protection of persons with mental disorders in relation to the application of these measures. It is also important to educate healthcare staff working with such patients and to foster an empathetic attitude toward their problems.

• Details
• Contents