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A study of inpatient referral patterns to a general hospital psychiatry unit in India
K Srinivasan1, R K Babu, P Appaya
1Department of Psychiatry, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India.
Insights
This study examined inpatient referrals to a general hospital psychiatry department, finding a 3.6% referral rate. Most referred patients had concurrent physical illnesses, with neurotic depression and alcohol dependence being common diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- General Hospital Medicine
Background:
- Inpatient psychiatry referrals are crucial for holistic patient care.
- Understanding referral patterns aids in resource allocation and service improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and patterns of inpatient referrals to a general hospital psychiatry department.
- To identify common diagnoses and referral reasons in this setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of inpatient referral data.
- Examination of patient demographics, diagnoses, and referral indications.
Main Results:
- A referral rate of 3.6% was observed, higher than previously reported in India.
- Concurrent physical illness was common; neurotic depression and alcohol dependence were most frequent diagnoses.
- Schizophrenia diagnoses were infrequent; self-inflicted injury and poisoning were notable referral reasons.
Conclusions:
- General hospital psychiatry departments receive a diverse range of referrals, often with co-occurring physical conditions.
- A significant portion of referrals present with transient psychiatric disturbances or psychologically determined somatic complaints.
Abstract:
The pattern of inpatient referral to a general hospital psychiatry department was examined in the present study. The referral rate of 3.6% was higher than those reported by other investigators from India. The majority of the patients had concurrent physical illness. Neurotic depression and alcohol dependence were the most frequent diagnoses. A diagnosis of schizophrenia was relatively infrequent. Among the patients referred for consultation, there was a high percentage of cases of self-inflicted injury and poisoning. Psychiatric disturbances were of transient nature in about one third of the cases. In about 20% of the cases, no physical illness was detected and their somatic complaints were considered to be psychologically determined.