Self-referral to inpatient treatment program in a community mental health Centre in Central Norway: investigating the implementation, professionals' experiences and costs.

Background: Self-referral to inpatient treatment (SRIT) is built on user participation and patient autonomy. SRIT was conducted for patients with severe mental disorders in a Norwegian Community Mental Health Centre. The aims of the present study were to describe the implementation of SRIT, explore the professionals' experiences of SRIT and assess the costs entailed.