| Popis: |
Background of the Study: Free legal aid clinics (LACs) are functioning in few hospitals in India under the provision of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Currently, no literatures are available on the service user's (SUs) perspectives on services at free LACs. Methodology: The current study aimed to understand the perspective of SUs of free LAC working at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India. Forty SUs were randomly selected, their records were examined, and they were contacted over the phone to understand their perspectives on availed services from LAC. Results: Authors could contact and completed telephonic interviews with 32 SUs. Majority (53.1%) were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disability. They approached LAC for various legal issues related to property, labor laws, mental health act, family/marital issues, and others. Legal advices and referrals to appropriate centers were the few among the various services offered. Telephonic calls to understand perspectives of SUs showed; legal problems solved (15.6%), in the process (37.5%), not solved (15.6%), and yet to start the legal process (31.3%). Majority (87.5%) reported LAC service is useful, 65.6% were able to follow the instructions, 56.3% reported that they do not require any additional help, and 96.9% reported that they will recommend LAC service to others. An average score of 7.72 (±1.67) on visual analog scale was rated by the SUs which indicated high satisfaction. Conclusion: Free legal aid services are essential in hospitals, especially in psychiatric hospitals, to protect legal rights, and to address legal issues of the poorer sections in the society. |
