What is it all about? An explorative study of patients' experiences with medication free treatment.

Background: As a response to the political decision by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services to establish some kind of "medication free treatment" for patients with severe mental illness throughout the country, a 6-bed ward unit dedicated to offer such treatment was in 2017 established in Tromsø, Norway by the North Norway Health Care Region. The aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of patients admitted to this ward unit.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 persons who had received treatment from the ward during the period January 2017 to October 2021.

Exploring the unconventional: health professionals' experiences into medication-free treatment for patients with severe mental illness.

Background: In January 2017, the Norwegian government mandated the establishment of an inpatient unit for "medication-free treatment" for patients with severe mental illness at the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsø. This study aims to explore the employees' experiences with this unit.

Method: Focus group interviews were conducted October 2021 - February 2022.

Why do patients want medication free treatment for psychosis? An explorative study on reasons for applying to medication free programs.

Background: A focus on patient's and service user's perspectives regarding long-term antipsychotic treatment led to a declaration from the Norwegian Ministry of Health in 2015 to offer treatment without psychotropic medication in mental health as a voluntary option in all four health care regions. In the northernmost region, a 6-bed inpatient ward unit was established, uniquely designed to give people with severe mental illness the possibility to choose such treatment. Only voluntary admissions were accepted.