Psychiatric referrals in two general hospitals.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Hospital Administration
• Public Health

Background:

• Psychiatric referrals to general hospitals can vary based on hospital type and patient demographics.
• Understanding referral patterns is crucial for resource allocation and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare psychiatric referral patterns between two general hospitals in Bombay: King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM) and Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.
• To identify differences in presenting symptoms, diagnoses, and reasons for hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study comparing 64 cases from KEM Hospital and 62 cases from Jaslok Hospital.
• Analysis of presenting symptoms, diagnoses, reasons for hospitalization, patient demographics, and hospital stay duration.

Main Results:

• Depressive symptoms were the most common presenting complaints at both hospitals.
• KEM Hospital had more cases of attempted suicide (organophosphorous compounds) and primary psychiatric admissions, with a higher proportion of unemployed patients.
• Jaslok Hospital saw referrals mainly for suspected medical/neurological conditions, with patients from higher economic strata, longer illness duration, and more non-relevant investigations.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences exist in psychiatric referral patterns between KEM and Jaslok Hospitals, reflecting variations in patient populations and hospital functions.
• KEM Hospital serves a population with higher rates of acute psychiatric emergencies and unemployment, while Jaslok Hospital manages more complex cases with co-existing medical/neurological conditions.