PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANT SERVICE AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY ON ITS CHARACTERISTICS

In Germany, there is growing interest in consultant psychiatry on a scientific and practical level. On the other hand, very few results have been reported concerning the tasks and functions of consultant services. This study was conducted in the Lubeck University Hospital to evaluate psychiatric consultant interventions by assessing referral rates, reasons for referrals, psychiatric diagnoses and recommendations. A total of 5334 consultations from 7 years (1983-1989) was analyzed, and a sample of 1000 consultations was taken. Over the years, a continuous increase in the consultation rates can be observed, with suicide and alcoholism as important focuses. The most frequent diagnoses were adjustment disorders, organic disorders and alcoholism. Psychopharmacological intervention, referral to the psychiatric/psychosomatic ward, and short practical advice were the most frequent recommendations. The results are discussed in the context of the international literature.