The psychiatric consultation-liaison nurse: towards articulating a model for practice

Psychiatric consultation-liaison nursing (PCLN) has experienced considerable growth in the past decade in Australia. In spite of this growth, a model for PCLN practice has not been adequately developed and articulated. The aim of this paper is to begin the process of articulating a model for PCLN practice in order to redress the paucity of literature in this area. The paper includes a brief history of PCLN; articulation of the components of the PCLN role, namely consultation, liaison and culture brokering; the impact of PCLN on quality improvement; and the importance of research articulation for the development of the PCLN role.