Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42079310›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychiatry2026

Establishing standards of care for forensic mental health: an international Delphi consensus-building study.

Marichelle Leclair, Arianne Imbeault, Brian McKenna, Tonia Nicholls, Anne Crocker, Lindsay Thomson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Marichelle LeclairDepartment of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada.
Arianne ImbeaultInstitut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Brian McKennaAuckland Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services, Auckland, New Zealand.
Tonia NichollsDepartment of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Anne CrockerInstitut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Lindsay ThomsonThe State Hospital, Carstairs, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to establish a consensus on a definition of forensic mental health systems and services, and to identify principles and components of forensic mental health systems. Methods: A Delphi consensus-building process was employed among 23 experts in forensic mental health, defined by lived experience of forensic mental health services, professional, clinical or management practice in forensic settings, or academic research in the field. Items were rated on a 9-point Likert scale, with consensus defined as ≥75% of panelists rating an item between 7 and 9. Across three Delphi rounds, items were revised, merged, or added based on participant feedback. Data were collected anonymously using LimeSurvey, with reminders sent to maximize participation, followed by a structured consensus meeting to resolve remaining areas of disagreement. Results: The final consensus statement comprises three components: (1) a definition of forensic mental health services; (2) a general statement including 12 guiding principles; and (3) 43 core components organized across 10 thematic domains addressing models of care, pathways and processes, programs and activities, physical health, service user and peer involvement, evaluation and improvement, service integration, safe environments, restrictive practices, and other system-level considerations. While all items achieved consensus at the consensus meeting, areas of sustained discussion related to the integration of cultural expertise, the inclusion of a lived experience workforce, and the distinction between descriptive and aspirational elements of forensic mental health services. Conclusions: This international consensus statement provides a structured framework for understanding forensic mental health systems. By articulating shared principles and core components while allowing flexibility across jurisdictions, the framework offers a foundation to support service development and evaluation across diverse jurisdictions.

Indexed as

consensus statementDelphiforensic mental health servicesservice organizationstandards of care

Identifiers

PMID42079310
PMCPMC13130083

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.