PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATIONS IN A FINNISH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Suicidal attempts, depression, and psychoactive substance abuse disord ers were the main problems behind consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatr ic referrals in a Finnish university hospital. Emergency consultation was needed in more than half of the cases. Men and women were referred equally, but the number of elderly patients and of psyche-organic dis orders was lower than expected. There were few referrals for poor copi ng, and adjustment disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder were dia gnosed only rarely. Patients' psychosocial level of functioning was co nsiderably diminished, and they were mostly in acute need of care and help. Thus, the most important intervention was to arrange adequate ps ychiatric care. The number of patients referred to psychiatric outpati ent care was twice as high as in the literature.