Risk management strategies in community-based psychiatry: a narrative review focusing on Italy
G. Listanti, S. De Persis, D. Tripi, S. FerracutiIntroduction
In psychiatry, Risk Management (RM) has mainly focused on hospital settings, while incidents of violence and burnout are increasingly affecting community-based services. In Italy, after the reform of forensic psychiatry, local mental health departments are fully responsible for the treatment of psychiatric offenders. The Italian National Action Plan for Mental Health 2025–2030 now formally recognizes RM as a strategic priority.
Objectives
This study provides an overview of key domains, critical issues, objectives and intervention strategies for RM in Italian community-based mental health services.
Methods
We conducted a non-systematic review of international and Italian literature.
Results
Our results identify 5 key domains of clinical risk:
Staff well-being and safety Hospital-community continuity Forensic patients management Informed consent Training and guidelines
Specific critical issues, objectives and intervention strategies for each risk domain are summarized in Table 1.
Critical issues, objectives and intervention strategies for each clinical risk domain in community-based psychiatry. Table 1. Long description.