The pattern of in-patient psychiatric referrals in a general hospital.
All patients referred for a psychiatric consultation from the adult wards of a General Hospital over a 10-month period were examined. The referral rate was 1.4%. Twice as many female patients were referred as male patients. Parasuicide accounted for 68% of referrals. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were adjustment reaction (41%), depression (23%), alcohol dependence (5%) and schizophrenia (5%). In 30% of referrals, no psychiatric treatment was necessary; 26% were transferred to the psychiatric unit and 17% were discharged to the out-patients' psychiatric clinic. Explanations are offered for the "hidden" psychiatric morbidity in General Hospitals and the high percentage of referrals who did not need psychiatric follow-up. Suggestions are made for a better liaison between physicians and psychiatrists.
Neehall
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, U.W.I., Trinidad.
Beharry
N
N
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012744:Sex Ratio; D014687:Venezuela