A prospective analysis of in-patient consultation-liaison psychiatry in a Nigerian teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pattern of psychiatric referrals over a six-month period categorise the psychiatric referrals into clinical syndromes and describe the nature of psychiatric intervention and outcome of such intervention on discharge and within the first three months after discharge.


METHODS
A descriptive prospective study.


METHODS
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin Nigeria.


METHODS
Forty seven inpatients (26 females and 21 males) referred to the psychiatric department from other specialist units of the hospital between May and October 2001.


RESULTS
The mean (+/-SD) of patients was 33.9+/-18 years. The highest rate of referral came from the internal medicine department. The most common psychiatric disorders referred were acute organic brain syndrome (32%) and neurological disorders (15%). Psychiatric interventions included medication in about two-thirds of the patients and counselling in about a quarter. Half of the discharged patients out rightly defaulted on their first outpatient clinic department appointment.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicate the need for greater inter-departmental liaison learning and training activities, the need to emphasize training in organic psychiatry, as well as the need to establish community-based outreach services as a means of ensuring continuity of care for discharged patients.
Ajiboye
P O
PO
Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Adelekan
M L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors