A child psychiatry consultation service to paediatricians

A review of referrals to the University department of child psychiatry in Newcastle upon Tyne demonstrated active consultation and collaboration between the department and paediatric departments. Important differences in sex, distribution of psychiatric disorders and presence of associated physical and social handicap were found between patients referred from different sources. The presence of some psychological disturbance in those children referred from hospital wards was evident to most paediatricians, and constituted the most frequent reason for referral. Recommendation for psychiatric treatment was made for the majority of patients, but subsequent parental co-operation was often poor. In the authors' view the greatest value of this research is that it highlights atrange of disorders of common concern to paediatricians and children's psychiatrists, using not only the terminology traditional in child psychiatry but also employing a descriptive terminology. They believe it is essential that trainees of both disciplines should have adequate experience in this wide range of disorders.