Referral patterns for psychiatric consultation in a large general hospital.
Referrals for psychiatric consultation from all inpatient and outpatient departments in a large general hospital were analysed. There were 597 referrals--the combined inpatient and outpatient referral rate was approximately 0.78% and the inpatient rate 1.8%. The most common reasons for referral were parasuicide, depression/symptoms of depression, abnormal behaviour and alcohol abuse. Depressive disorders, drug dependence and neuroses were the most common diagnoses made. Medication was prescribed in 38% of cases and psychotherapy was offered in 18%. In 21% of cases the patient was either managed in his original ward or transferred back to the ward with advice regarding management. In 79% of cases management was within the Department of Psychiatry; many of these patients required concurrent treatment from the referring doctor for a physical disorder. The value of improving the quality and availability of consultation-liaison psychiatry services is discussed.
Department of Psychiatry, Addington Hospital, Durban.
A E
AE
Gangat
L R
LR
Naidoo
M A
MA
Simpson
D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010343:Patient Admission; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013019:South Africa