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[Psychiatric consultations in a general hospital]
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Psychiatric referrals in a general hospital show significant changes in patient demographics and diagnoses over twenty years. These shifts are linked to the hospital
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Hospital Statistics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Psychiatric referrals are crucial for patient care in general hospitals.
- Longitudinal data analysis provides insights into evolving referral patterns.
- Understanding referral trends aids in resource allocation and service planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To statistically analyze psychiatric referrals for inpatients over a twenty-year period.
- To identify significant differences in referral characteristics (age, sex, diagnosis).
- To correlate observed changes with the hospital's specialization.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of inpatient psychiatric referral data.
- Comparison of current data with historical records spanning two decades.
- Retrospective review of patient demographics and diagnostic categories.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in age, sex, and diagnostic patterns of psychiatric referrals were observed.
- These changes are statistically significant when compared to previous twenty-year data.
- The hospital's role as a specialized chest and cardio center is a key factor.
Conclusions:
- Hospital specialization significantly influences psychiatric referral patterns.
- Evolving referral trends necessitate adaptive psychiatric service models.
- Further research should explore the impact of specialized care on mental health referrals.