Risk management in community-based psychiatry: an overview from global perspectives to the Italian context

Riv Psichiatr. 2026 Mar-Apr;61(2):51-61. doi: 10.1708/4685.46997.

ABSTRACT

The management of risk associated with clinical processes is gaining increasing importance in both health policy and medical research. Data show that among mental health professionals, cases of violence and burnout are on the rise. Implementing appropriate risk management strategies in psychiatry should be considered a key objective. This study aims to provide an overview of the current state of psychiatric risk management, with particular focus on Italian community-based mental health services. Through a non-systematic review of international and national literature, we identify the main areas of risk in psychiatry, which can be summarized as: interpersonal violence, coercive interventions, environmental safety, adverse drug events, clinical errors, and professional burnout. In the Italian context, critical issues mainly concern the protection of staff well-being and safety, the management of forensic patients according to Law 81/2014, and the acquisition of informed consent. The National Action Plan for Mental Health 2025-2030 formally recognizes risk management as a field of action, outlining related priorities and operational strategies. For the effective implementation of risk management in community-based psychiatry, it appears to be necessary the dissemination of standardized assessment and monitoring tools, promote workforce continuous training, and strengthen the culture of consent and shared decision-making.

PMID:42200253 | DOI:10.1708/4685.46997