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Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 342-345. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.9.342
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 342-345
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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

Andrew Molodynski, Specialist Registrar

Tolworth Hospital, Red Lion Road, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7QU, e-mail: andrew73{at}doctors.org.uk

Jim Bolton, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist

Department of Liaison Psychiatry, St Helier Hospital,Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey SM51AA

Louise Guest, Consultant Psychiatrist

Carshalton Community Mental HealthTeam

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

The 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.

RESULTS

The 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 (41v. 10%). More patients referred to the CMHT had a primary diagnosis of a mood disorder (49 v. 28%), but fewer had organic disorders.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The 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.






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Copyright © 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists.