Is liaison psychiatry a separate specialty? Comparison of referrals to a liaison psychiatry service and a community mental health team

Abstract

Aims and MethodThe aim of the study was to compare referrals to a liaison psychiatry service and a neighbouring community mental health team (CMHT). Demographic and clinical information were compared for 100 consecutive referrals to each service.ResultsThe liaison psychiatry service had a smaller ongoing case-load and a higher referral rate than the CMHT. Larger proportions of patients referred to liaison psychiatry had comorbid physical illness (49 v. 10%) or had harmed themselves (41 v. 10%). More patients referred to the CMHT had a primary diagnosis of a mood disorder (49 v. 28%), but fewer had organic disorders.Clinical ImplicationsThe differences in service delivery and clinical problems referred imply that different expertise is required by those working in each service. This supports the view that community and liaison psychiatry are separate specialties, with implications for higher specialist training.

Liaison Old Age Psychiatry Service in a Medical Setting: Description of the Newcastle Clinical Service

“…Similarly to a previous study conducted with adults [ 14 ], our findings confirm both a greater turnover and intensity of followup over a short period of time by LOAP. Most importantly, the data also provides further evidence that Newcastle LOAP has accepted a liaison (proactive) model rather than a consultation (reactive) model of service delivery, as demonstrated by the intensity of followup per person (up to 3 times/patient), and the increase of assessments in relation to requests (14.1%, as based on the 2005/2006 audit).…”

“…In contrast to general adult liaison services [ 14 ], LOAP did not have a major portion of urgent referrals. This can only be explained by the LOAP team's rapid response (86–92% of all referred patients seen within one day).…”

Experiencia Docente en Interconsulta psiquiátrica en Atención Primaria de Salud para residentes

“…Estos hallazgos son similares a los revelados en centros de salud general [6][7][8][9] ; sin embargo, las publicaciones generales acerca de la Interconsulta psiquiátrica en Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) son escasas y más aún, aquellas que hacen referencia al proceso de enseñanza requerido, el cual sólo es aludido de modo tangencial.…”

Experiencia Docente en Interconsulta psiquiátrica en Atención Primaria de Salud para residentes

“…Existe una amplia literatura en el tema de Interconsulta psiquiátrica en relación a servicios clínico-hospitalarios, destacando la importancia del tema derivada de las altas prevalencias de trastornos mentales, la alta comorbilidad y el impacto negativo en la evolución clínica y en costos asociados [1][2][3][4][5] . Estos hallazgos son similares a los revelados en centros de salud general [6][7][8][9] ; sin embargo, las publicaciones generales acerca de la Interconsulta psiquiátrica en Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) son escasas y más aún, aquellas que hacen referencia al proceso de enseñanza requerido, el cual sólo es aludido de modo tangencial.…”