THE SEQUENCING OF PSYCHIATRIC RECOMMENDATIONS - CONCORDANCE DURING THE PROCESS OF A PSYCHIATRIC-CONSULTATION

Whether or not medical staff follow through with the recommendations o f the consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrist, a process referred to a s concordance, is an important factor that influences the outcome of C -L interventions. Previous research has demonstrated that process vari ables have the greatest effect on concordance. This study extends earl ier research by examining the relationship of the timing of various re commendation types and concordance. In this study, the authors found t hat during the first two weeks of a case, psychosocial diagnostic reco mmendations were closely followed (most concordant) when given later i n the consultation. However, concordance was better when discharge rec ommendations were given earlier. The findings reveal an interaction be tween the type of recommendation and its timing in the consultation in predicting concordance.