[Involuntary treatment under guardianship law in psychiatric hospitals in Germany: results of an online survey].

Aim of the study: To determine the circumstances of involuntary treatment under the German Civil Code (BGB) in psychiatric hospitals serving a catchment area.

Method: Medical directors of psychiatric hospitals in Germany, including psychiatric departments at general hospitals and university clinics, were interviewed by means of an online survey.

Results: The response rate among the N=397 institutions addressed was 43%. Coercive treatment according to the German Civil Code (BGB), which must be requested by a guardian and approved by a court, is relatively rare and mainly involves the forced administration of psychotropic drugs. 90% of the responding institutions had carried out such coercive treatment within the last five years. Involvement in involuntary treatment carried out in somatic hospitals was rarely reported. For the most part, it is not systematically recorded.

Conclusion: Taking into account the lack of data, there is a need for a national register of such intervention, including involuntary treatment in somatic hospitals.