[Consultative psychiatry--aims, challenges and perspectives]

The consultative psychiatry is the field of scientific research and medical practice connecting biological, psychological and social aspects of mental and somatic disorders. The aim of the study was to discuss the subject area of the consultative psychiatry. Psychiatrist may be asked for consultation by the physician, family or patient. The reason for this may be the need to transport or cam the patient down (emergency), the need to understand the disorder, its dynamics, therapeutic difficulties or difficulties in cooperation with the patient. The introduction to consultation consists of gathering information from the supporting staff, patient's family, main physician or from the disease records. Psychiatric examination should be taking place in peaceful surroundings enduring privacy. Basic examination of mental condition should be carried out. The results of the consultation are required to be shared in writing and they influence further treatment and often, further life of the patient. In difficult situations it is advised to carry out psychiatric consultation several times. In emergencies there is a need to consult the aggressive patients with suicidal tendencies and consciousness disorders. The future of consultative psychiatry is connected with development of medicine in the field of transplantology, oncology, pandemics of contagious diseases, biomedicine, etc.