THE PEDIATRIC MEDICAL-PSYCHIATRIC UNIT IN A PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITAL

Interest in the development of pediatric medical-psychiatric units con tinues to grow, driven be clinical, financial, and interdisciplinary c onsiderations. While virtually all of the pediatric medical-psychiatri c units reported in the literature to date have arisen in the pediatri c setting, there are considerations that may encourage the development of such programs in the psychiatric setting. The authors report on th e development and characteristics of a pediatric medical-psychiatric s pecialty inpatient unit developed in a psychiatric hospital. Advantage s and disadvantages of the psychiatric hospital setting are considered in light of cumulative experience.