Junior doctors' experience and knowledge of procedures in compulsory psychiatric admissions in Ireland

Objectives: Prompted by the current debate in Ireland regarding involuntary detention, we undertook a survey of psychiatric trainees to er;amine their level of knowledge of the legislation governing such admissions. Method: Eighty psychiatric trainees working in centres affiliated to a part icular training scheme were invited to complete a purpose-designed instrume nt. Results: Response rate was 52/80. Trainees were well informed concerning th e procedures necessary to initiate detention. Their knowledge of the legal indications for involuntary detention and restrictions on its duration was patchy. Conclusions: We suggest that training in the area of mental health legislat ion needs to be increased and to focus on satisfying legal requirements in real-life scenarios.