title: Consultation-liaison psychiatry: a historical overview.
abstract: The author reviews the history of consultation-liaison psychiatry from its roots in the 1751 charter of the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. The field has evolved through three distinct phases and has currently entered a fourth stage, called the consolidation phase, which is characterized by shrinkage of programs, marked reduction in liaison activities, and anxiety about its validity and future. While the survival of consultation-liaison psychiatry is threatened by inadequate financial resources, the author believes that the increasing demand for C-L psychiatrists will eventually mandate a greater investment in the special expertise they offer.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Schwab
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000266:history*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States