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“How to Get Help for Your Patient Who Doesn’t Want it: Process and Law of Involuntary Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment in Arizona”

Voluntary treatment for any medical condition is always preferable. However, because of the nature of mental illness, involuntary treatment and hospitalization is necessary in certain circumstances, especially if the illness has impacted that person’s ability to identify their own need for treatment.

Court-ordered evaluation or court-ordered treatment (assisted outpatient treatment) is a complicated topic in which the medical and legal communities each play a role. In order for a psychiatrist practicing in Arizona to effectively protect the patient and others at a time when he or she may not be capable of appropriate decision-making, having the knowledge of Arizona law and its processes necessary to interpret the appropriate course of action and apply the same is essential.

Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) has been shown to reduce hospitalization, arrest and incarceration, homelessness and violent acts associated with mental illness. Due to strict legal criteria, AOT participants typically represent far less than .05% of a state’s population. Yet, on any given day, they are the people most at risk to be in a hospital, ER, on the streets or behind bars.

Attendees will be instructed on the structure and content of Arizona laws regarding court-ordered evaluations and court-ordered treatment, as well as how to navigate the process in Arizona.

Jan 14, 2021 06:00 PM in Arizona