Evidence-based rehabilitation in forensic psychiatry

Background The extent to which forensic psychiatric rehabilitation alters a n individual's level of risk is unclear. Aims To highlight some essential features of a forensic psychiatric rehabil itation system, and to discuss risk assessment in this context to create a conceptual framework for risk research and practice. Method The applicability of risk assessment instruments to forensic psychia tric rehabilitation was examined. Core processes and elements considered es sential in this type of rehabilitative work were reviewed. Results Current risk research has limited application to rehabilitation. Fu ture research aimed at analysing forensic psychiatric rehabilitation will b e hampered by the complexity of the treatment systems and the number of met hodological issues relevant to this type of research. Conclusions Novel research approaches are suggested to analyse further the risk factors and processes important in forensic psychiatric rehabilitation . Declaration of interest None.