Exploring the inner roots of discharge against medical advice (DAMA) in an academic psychiatric hospital: a qualitative study

Abstract Background To explore the roots of DAMA in Roozbeh Hospital, an academic mental hospital located Tehran, Iran, authors conducted a simple qualitative study. Twenty-four in-depth semi-structured interviews with families and eight patients who were discharged against medical advice done about inner motivation DAMA. The sampling was convenient trying to reach maximum variation. transcribed verbatim coded categorized inductively by discussion. Ethical consideration approved TUMS ethical committee. Results Findings classified into six categories: patient’s insistence, miss beloved one, sense improvement, outside concerns, dissatisfaction quality care, worries hospitalization consequences. Conclusions Addressing can be opportunity understand better their families’/relatives’ experiences feelings. This will give deep perspective insight subject.