THE PATTERN OF INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC REFERRALS IN A GENERAL-HOSPITAL

All patients referred for a psychiatric consultation from the adult wa rds of a General Hospital over a 10-month period were examined. The re ferral rate was 1.4%. Twice as many female patients were referred as m ale patients. Parasuicide accounted for 68% of referrals. The most com mon psychiatric diagnoses were adjustment reaction (41%), depression ( 23%), alcohol dependence (5%) and schizophrenia (5%). In 30% of referr als, no psychiatric treatment was necessary; 26% were transferred to t he psychiatric unit and 17% were discharged to the out-patients' psych iatric clinic. Explanations are offered for the ''hidden'' psychiatric morbidity in General Hospitals and the high percentage of referrals w ho did not need psychiatric follow-up. Suggestions are made for a bett er liaison between physicians and psychiatrists.