title: Inpatient pediatric consultation-liaison: a case-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a prospective case-controlled study of pediatric inpatients referred for consultation in a tertiary care children's medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Referrals (n = 104) were matched with nonreferrals (n = 104) for age (4 to 18 years), gender, and illness type/severity and completed parent- and self-report (dependent on age) behavioral rating scales to assess for adjustment/functioning. Nurses completed in-hospital ratings of behavioral/adjustment difficulties. Goal attainment and satisfaction ratings were obtained from the referring physicians, parents/guardians, and the consultant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Referrals exhibited more behavior/adjustment/coping difficulties than nonreferrals by parent, nurse, and self report. Frequently employed interventions included coping-strategies intervention, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and case management. Referring physician and consultant ratings of goal attainment were high, as were physician ratings of satisfaction and parent/guardian ratings of overall helpfulness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric inpatients referred by their physicians had significantly more internalizing and externalizing disturbances than their nonreferred hospitalized peers. Many of the behavioral and adjustment problems that lead to in-hospital consultation referral were evident in global behavior difficulties prior to hospitalization. Referring pediatricians, parents/guardians, and consultants rate the outcome as benefiting the patients via assisting in the overall management of their health concerns, coping, and adjustment.
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky 40202, USA. bdcart01@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Bryan D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Kronenberger
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Laurie M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Grimes
authors.forename: Valerie M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Crabtree
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McGraw
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011599:Psychopathology; D012017:Referral and Consultation