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The effectiveness of Israel's compulsory ambulatory treatment order was evaluated based on a one-year follow-up of the 326 orders served during the first four years of implementation. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and legal data were obtained from patient records. Success was defined as continuous treatment for the entire six-month period of compulsory ambulatory treatment, or as voluntary hospitalization during or after the compulsory treatment period. The compulsory ambulatory treatment order was found to be efficacious in 43.3 percent of the cases; in 32.5 percent it did not succeed in preventing compulsory hospitalization, and in the remaining cases (22.1 percent), success was partial.

This study assesses the different approaches to treating patients with schizoaffective and paranoid schizophrenia in remission. Individualized treatment of 220 outpatient schizophrenia patients was conducted for 4 years. The choice of treatment was based on the course of the disease and the frequency of relapses. The influence of changes in treatment on the patterns of relapses is presented. The results of this prospective followup open study were evaluated by comparing data received during our research with data from the two preceding 4-year periods and with data from the control group. Compared with routine methods, special treatment tactics led to a significantly decreased frequency of relapses in patients with frequent relapses (p < 0.001). In patients with rare relapses, full cessation of treatment did not lead to increasing mean frequency of relapses. Treatment in remission should be based on the peculiarities of the course of disease, specifically, frequency of relapses, type of schizophrenia, and presence or absence of positive psychopathological signs in remission.

Posters, Monday, 6 May 2002 records. Details of appeals were obtained from the Court of Appeal patients in the ICM group appeared to assault more during followand a literature search. The reasons for successful appeals were up (p=O.O3) was possibly explained by increased reporting of scrutinised, including the role of Forensic Psychiatry. violent incidents due to these patients spending longer in hospital. Conclusion: ICM cost more for violent patients but was without demonstrable benefits in clinical and social outcomes. Results: Last year 57 automatic life sentences were imposed. Eleven appeals were identified. Four were successful, as defendants were not thought to pose a serious enough risk to warrant indefinite incarceration. Psychiatric risk assessments were used in the decision making. P20.09 Conclusion: The legislation is a blunt instrument which risks imposing life sentences on individuals who do not pose a serious risk to the public. Forensic Psychiatry is providing courts with guidance on risk assessments and assisting case law development.