CONSIDERATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SOMAT IC DISORDERS IN PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALS AND COMPLIANCE WITH CARE

Every psychiatric hospital should have a general medical unit to deal with the excess organic morbidity seen in psychiatric patients, The gl obal approach provided by close cooperation between psychiatrists and general practitioners has beneficial effects on both psychiatric and s omatic conditions, Considerations are presented herein that make a str ong case for the creation in every psychiatric hospital of a medicosur gical unit that is both self-contained and closely linked to other hea lth care structures, The experience acquired with this respect at the Saint-Jean-de-Dieu Hospital suggests that somatic care is well accepte d by psychiatric patients, and that this global approach is both benef icial to the patient and in accordance with current health care and et hical standards.