Utilization of liaison psychiatric services in a general hospital in Jamaica [abstract]

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pattern and characteristics of Liaison Psychiatry refferals in the University Hospital of the West Indies over a six-month period. METHOD: A prospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients referred to the Liaison Psychiatry service between November 28, 2000 and May 28, 2001. Clinical and sociodemographic data were gathered by individual interviews and mental status examination and a DSM IV diagnosis made. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were referred with 28 (47.5 percent) males, and with a mean ñ Standard Deviation age of 39.42 ñ 15.92 years. Significantly more patients were referred from the medical wards (37, 62.5 percent) than from the surgical wards (14, 23.7 percent) or the gynaecological wards (8, 13.6 percent) (x2= 16.803, 2df, p<0.005). The main reason for referral was "strange behaviour" (31, 52.5 percent) and depression (13, 22 percent). There was no statistically significant difference between the referring wards and the reason for referral or diagnostic pattern. An equal number of patients were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and unipolar depressive disorder (33.9 percent each). CONCLUSION: The medical wards of the University Hospital of the West Indies are the main agents of referral to the Liaison Psychiatric service with the majority of patients presenting with the majority of patients unipolar depressive or psychotic disorders. (AU)