Related Experiment Videos
Psychiatric morbidity in a general medical ward. Hong Kong's experience
Insights
This study investigated psychiatric conditions in a Hong Kong general hospital male medical ward. Substance use disorder, dementia, and delirium were the most common mental health issues found.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- General Hospital Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- General hospitals often admit patients with undiagnosed psychiatric conditions.
- Understanding psychiatric morbidity in medical wards is crucial for integrated care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and types of psychiatric morbidity in a male medical ward in Hong Kong.
- To assess the overlap between medical and psychiatric diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- A one-stage single-rater method was employed for diagnosis.
- Medical diagnoses utilized the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9).
- Psychiatric diagnoses were made using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd Edition (DSM-III).
Main Results:
- 24% of patients received a psychiatric diagnosis (DSM-III).
- Substance use disorder, dementia, and delirium were the most frequent psychiatric diagnoses.
- 8.5% of patients had no medical diagnosis, and 5.3% received only psychiatric diagnoses, primarily substance use disorders.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of male medical ward patients present with psychiatric morbidity.
- Substance use disorders are a common psychiatric diagnosis in this setting.
- Integrated screening and treatment approaches are warranted for medical inpatients.
Abstract:
The psychiatric morbidity of a general hospital's male medical ward in Hong Kong was studied using a one-stage single-rater method. Medical diagnoses were made according to ICD-9 on 91.5% of patients and 24% were diagnosed with DSM-III. The most common mental disorders included substance use disorder, dementia, and delirium. Of all the patients, 8.5% were not medically diagnosable and 5.3% were given only psychiatric diagnoses, the majority of which were substance use disorders.