The use of force or intimidation to persuade someone to perform in a certain way is known as coercion. Coercion is occasionally the only workable option available to prevent impending damage in the typical low resource realm of psychiatry, with behavioral crises and diminished competence to make treatment decisions. Coercive practices in psychiatry have historically been linked to iatrogenic damage, poor patient satisfaction, and an increased risk of suicide attempts, leading to calls for their reduction on a global scale. A different strategy is required since straightforward rules frequently are unable to handle the complexity of addressing behavioral crises fairly in order to reduce harm. A nationwide patient safety policy is lacking, particularly in Canadian psychiatric practice.
