Physical Restraint in Psychiatric Care: Soon to Fall Out of Use?

Abstract

International directives all recommend that using restraints on psychiatric patients should be avoided, yet scientific literature shows that such practices are still largely in use. This article aims to lay out strategies that could be put in place in order to gradually discard the use of restraints, particularly through a “restraint-free” approach, nursing, logistic–environmental pathways, and locally centered health care provision. All such tools have proven valuable for the purpose of safeguarding the health of psychiatric patients. Hence, the failure to put in place such measures may lead to litigation and lawsuits against physicians and particularly health care facilities. Undoubtedly, the ability to effectively implement such methods largely depends on the financial resources available, which in countries such as Italy are poorer than in others. Still, the risk of being sued and held professionally liable may constitute a factor in raising awareness among operators, facilities, and public health care management, leading to the implementation of policy changes aimed at minimizing the use of restraints.