Are psychological skills necessary in treating all physical disorders?
OBJECTIVE
To explore both the wider issue of the need for psychological skills in the management of all physical disorders and that of the role of liaison psychiatry in providing care and in working with medical colleagues.


METHODS
The author draws on the literature in general, and specifically on his extensive research and clinical experience of patients with acute and chronic physical symptoms and associated psychological symptoms, particularly accident victims and those with chest pain and diabetes. He also draws on his experience in establishing national and international organizations for consultation-liaison psychiatry.


RESULTS
It is argued that psychological skills are fundamental in the management of all physical disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Liaison psychiatry must ensure that psychological skills are part of the treatment of all physical disorders.
Mayou
Richard
R
University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK. richard.mayou@psych.ox.ac.uk
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy