Against Medical Advice, or AMA is a term used with a patient who checks himself out of a hospital against the advice of his doctor. While it may not be medically wise for the person to leave early, in most cases the wishes of the patient are considered first. The patient is usually asked to sign a form stating that he is aware that he is leaving the facility against medical advice, and the AMA term is used on reports concering the patient. A hospital today is an institution for professional health care provided in part by physicians and nurses. ...

In a mental hospital setting, a patient is typically allowed to check himself out of the hospital by giving at least a day's notice (though in some jurisdictions the time may vary depending on whether the patient is under "informal" or "formal" voluntary commitment). However if the doctor feels that the patient would be a danger to self or others, the doctor can begin commitment proceedings against the patient to compel the patient to stay in the hospital. A psychiatric hospital (also called a mental hospital or asylum) is a hospital specializing in the treatment of persons with mental illness. ... The term jurisdiction has more than one sense. ... Voluntary commitment is the act or practice of a person going into a mental hospital, psychiatric ward, or the like voluntarily, and without the process of involuntary commitment. ... Involuntary commitment is the practice of using legal means or forms as part of a mental health law to commit a person to a mental hospital, insane asylum or psychiatric ward without their informed consent, against their will or over their protests. ...