The role of laboratory medicine in psychiatry.
The application of contemporary biological methods in psychiatric practice has encouraged the reintegration of psychiatry into medicine. These investigative techniques assist in the elucidation of factors of aetiological importance, confirmation of diagnosis, regulation of dosage of medication, prediction of response to treatment and assessment of prognostic factors. It is emphasized that there is an urgent need to improve upon available laboratory facilities in mental health institutions in Africa and other third world countries, and also to encourage research in biological psychiatry. This will allow for cross-cultural comparison (between developed and developing countries) on the issue of aetiology, clinical manifestation/nosology, management and prognosis of mental disorders.
Abiodun
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Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*