ArticleBMJ open2026
Abuse of people with mental illnesses perpetrated by healthcare professionals: a scoping review.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
objectivesThis scoping review addresses the underexplored issue of abuse of people with mental illnesses by healthcare professionals. We mapped the existing literature to establish the nature, prevalence, contributing factors and experiences of this abuse.
designScoping review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Ichushi-Web during the period from 3 July to 22 August 2024. Eligible studies reported abuse of people with mental illnesses by healthcare professionals, with no restrictions on year or language. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently extracted data from the selected articles. The data were synthesised to examine prevalence, associated factors and experiences of people with mental illnesses.
findingsOf 5793 records, 61 met the inclusion criteria, with 32 from the USA and Japan (16 from each). Abuse types reported across 17 countries included physical, psychological, sexual and economic abuse, neglect and human rights violations. Histories of physical and sexual abuse were frequently reported as possible contributing factors to further abuse. Recommendations for prevention were identified at multiple levels, including individual care, organisational and institutional systems, and broader policy and society.
conclusionsThis review mapped the literature on abuse by healthcare professionals in mental health services and identified critical research gaps, including a lack of methodologically robust studies. Further research is needed to build an evidence base for prevention strategies and to establish institutional safeguards.
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