Factors Associated With Length of Hospital Stay for Forensic Psychiatric Inpatients With Intellectual Disabilities.

The study included only 111 patients from a single specialist hospital, so results may not apply to other settings. The design cannot prove that therapy or positive behavioural support caused longer stays; these treatments are often given to patients with more complex needs who naturally stay longer. Data were collected retrospectively from paper records, which may have been incomplete or inaccurate. Length of stay does not measure the quality of care received. Important social factors like housing availability and specific types of therapy were not analysed.

The study was funded by the University of Warwick. No other conflicts of interest were declared.

Do not conclude that psychological therapy or positive behavioural support unnecessarily prolongs hospital stays. The study shows an association, not causation; these interventions are likely provided to patients with more complex needs and higher risk, who require longer treatment regardless of the specific therapy used.