Significance of the database and current issues
The database system enables the monthly collection of approximately 8,000 items of data regarding subjects admitted to 35 designated inpatient facilities under the MTSA. In forensic psychiatry, it has been noted that basic national epidemiological data are lacking, and factors associated with recidivism prevention have not been adequately identified [
10‐
12]. To resolve this problem, demographic data, clinical data, and data on static and dynamic factors related to crime have been collected using databases in Sweden [
13] and Germany [
12]. The items collected do not differ significantly between Japan and the other countries. The Japanese database is designed for administrative rather than research purposes and is unique in that all patient data can be collected over a long period, but it is not suitable for effectiveness evaluation.
The method data is collected, that it is not necessary to re-enter routine clinical records to accumulate data in the Database is particularly beneficial from the perspective of efficiently collecting data that is also clinically necessary. The Database is used in several ways:
(a)
Monitoring of appropriate healthcare provision by healthcare professionals.
(b)
Improvement of the quality of medical care (self-institutional review, institution-to-institution advice).
(c)
Discovery of the need for new treatment techniques, etc.
(d)
Identification of issues to establish a comprehensive community support system.
On the other hand, this Database system is associated with challenges related to the following issues:
(a)
Regular publication of administrative data.
(b)
Promotion of research use.
(c)
Consideration of Database items.
In 2022, the first statistical document was published. It is hoped that this document will be published regularly, and to this end it is necessary to establish a publication system. In addition, only five secondary-use research have been approved in about 2 years. Therefore, measures to promote research use are needed.
In consideration of the items in the Database, what should be noted is the historical circumstances of Japan’s treatment system for persons with mentally disordered offenders, as well as the development of the appropriate application of the forensic system. Before the MTSA was enacted in Japan, general psychiatric hospitals provided treatment for mentally disordered offenders. Several issues arose regarding psychiatric treatment: (1) human rights issues (security measures and detention without treatment) [
14,
15], (2) disadvantages of mental health policy assuming responsibility for social defense [
16], (3) problems with the length of hospitalization (hospitalizations tend to be extremely short or long) [
17‐
20], (4) lack of continuity of medical care [
21], (5) lack of human resources and medical fees [
22], and (6) the fact that a single doctor makes the decision to terminate involuntary hospitalization without the need for a judicial decision [
23].
Not all issues have been resolved with the enforcement of the MTSA. However, in light of these historical challenges, the Database focuses on comprehensive and continuous monitoring of ethical aspects such as compulsory medical care and designing an appropriate healthcare system. Therefore, one anticipated role of the Database is to enable comprehensive and continuous monitoring of ethical issues. In this sense, the Database is helpful as a method of ascertaining the operation of the MTSA regarding subjects, treatments, and lengths of hospital stay. In fact, the average hospital stay is 1,022 days, the median stay is 827 days, and 90% of patients are discharged within 5 years. In addition to advice from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, such a short hospital stay has been achieved through the self-help efforts of designated inpatient facilities. The Database provides the basis for these medical activities.
As previously described, the Database captures items that reflect the appropriateness of the appropriate application of the system. On the other hand, healthcare providers want to be able to capture static and dynamic factors data on the variety and effectiveness of the treatment being provided, factors related to discharge, and other data to help solve routine clinical issues [
24]. Tomlin et al. [
12] also emphasized the necessity of comprehending data of both static and dynamic factors concerning cost, recidivism prediction, and treatment outcomes within forensic psychiatry databases. However, it has been reported that the collection of dynamic data within these databases is not without its challenges. In Germany, issues such as the irregular collection of dynamic data in everyday practice, the risk of data errors during the data collection process, and the influence of researcher presence have been cited [
12]. In Japan, there is no need to re-enter clinical records if the dynamic factor data aligns with metrics routinely evaluated in clinical settings. Nevertheless, challenges similar to those encountered in Germany may arise when attempting to accommodate the collection of additional data items and the needs of staff. Collecting dynamic data within a database appears to present a significant challenge.
The database items are expected to change with time and circumstances. If the Database item is modified based on the needs of healthcare providers, it will be necessary to evaluate the appropriateness of the selection process of database items. It will be expensive to modify the Database system each time the composition of collected data items is changed. In response to this, it will be necessary to verify that all users understand the Database. In addition, without a cooperative relationship with healthcare professionals, it will be difficult to promptly correct input errors and to consider the scope of these professionals’ effective use of large amounts of data. Evaluating the Database Projectthat can be disseminated to the world is a future task.
Prospects for treatment of mentally disordered offenders using the database
Although there are still significant issues to be addressed in the Database Project, we believe it will facilitate the assessment of forensic psychiatry and the overall treatment system for persons with mental disorders, including treatment in general mental health services and prisons.
As noted in previous studies, mentally disordered offenders tend to have ongoing difficulties due to multiple issues in life that began in childhood [
25]. It has also been reported that the development of psychotic disorders is increasingly associated with violence [
26]. In particular, factors related to recidivism include psychotic disorders, minimal education [
27,
28], and illicit substance use from an early age [
29]. In the case of women, there is a strong association with past experiences of abuse [
30,
31]. In Japanese studies, mental disorders are often the result of challenging upbringings and background factors in life, suggesting that repetition of harm to others occurs before the onset of mental disorders [
24,
32]. Reports from prisons also point out a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially among low- and middle-income inmates [
33] and a high proportion of mentally disabled inmates [
34].
Analysis of data from the database showed a relationship between co-morbid disorders and length of hospital stay. Inpatients with co-morbid disorders may be complex cases requiring long-term support. For such inpatients, it is necessary to clarify the scope of application of the MTSA, improve support techniques, and develop community mental health systems. In forensic psychiatry, there is no unified view on the appropriate length of hospitalization and effectiveness of treatment for mentally disordered offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities [
35], therefore accumulation of knowledge is required.
Analysis of the database data will make it possible to identify the psychopathology and life obstacles of mentally disordered offenders and thus provide practical knowledge for ex post facto medical and welfare support measures. By evaluating the effectiveness of the database, and collecting appropriate data, it is expected to disseminate a wide range of knowledge that will contribute to the future development of mental health and welfare care.