The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry
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Aust N Z J Psychiatry · May 2005
ReviewApplication of risk assessment for violence methods to general adult psychiatry: a selective literature review.
General adult psychiatrists are required to assess risk of violence as frequently as forensic psychiatrists. Yet most of the literature on risk assessment has originated from forensic settings, has been written by forensic psychiatrists, is applicable to forensic patients but may not apply to general psychiatric settings. Because the patient population and the nature of risk assessed may differ between the two settings, there is a need to consider the relevance of systems of assessment of risk of violence specific to the context of general adult psychiatry. ⋯ In order to develop a system of risk assessment relevant to general adult psychiatry, we note the benefits of shifting from risk prediction to assessment, management and reduction of risk, the need to merge actuarial and clinical approaches, communication of risk and finally the need to involve patients in the process of risk assessment.