Joint liaison psychiatry-diabetes clinic: a new specialist service.
OBJECTIVE
Specialist diabetes clinics have an established role in prevention and management of complications. As psychological problems are usually treated separately from diabetes centres, the role of a specialist psychiatrist within a teaching hospital was assessed. The aims of the study were to describe referral patterns, specific psychiatric conditions and treatments offered.


RESULTS
During weekly outpatient sessions over a 12-month period, 31 patients were referred with a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses. One-third of patients were seen on the day and two-thirds within 2 weeks of referral. Treatments included anti-depressant medication, counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy. Successful discharge was obtained in 10 subjects and eight were undergoing continued treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The range of specific diagnoses requiring psychiatric supervision supported the role of specifically trained personnel as seen in a joint liaison psychiatry-diabetes service.
Mitchell
C
C
Psychological Medicine Unit, Mental Health Centre, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Catalan
J
J
McIntosh
C
C
Feher
M D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003253:Consultants; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation