[THE EFFICACY OF THE DECISIONS OF TREATING PHYSICIANS VS. DISTRICT PSYCHIATRIC COMMITTEES IN REGARD TO THE DISCHARGE OF COMMITTED PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS: A REGIONAL STUDY].

The results we present indicate that the variance of decision "failure" (readmission) and "success" across the various geographical regions was found to be significantly better in the TP group than in the DPC group. We consider it likely that whereas TPs discharge IPH patients in accordance with well-accepted clinical approaches, the DPC's decisions are based on interpretations of the law (regarding, e.g., the patient posing a physical threat) and on the DPC's understanding of what is meant by the patient's "best interests." We suggest introducing more formal psychiatric training for the legal staff of the DPCs and building a structured and standardized method for reviewing the patient. Moreover, we propose using "soft paternalism" as an approach, which would justify limitations on individual liberties for the benefit of persons being restricted, provided that they are unable to make a choice that would be consistent with their own interests. This is often an appropriate and perhaps a more practical approach, one that the DPC could adopt in place of the present conservative approach, which requires a specific standard of "proof" of major illness to qualify as insanity requiring hospitalization.