The liaison clinic: a model for liaison psychiatry funding, training, and research

While liaison or similar clinics have existed since at least 1931, they remain uncommon. The Mount Sinai Medical Center Liaison Clinic is presented as a model for psychiatric evaluation and care of medical patients as well as training, research, and funding. In addition, it is a model for linking general and mental health systems in the tertiary care setting. The first year of operation of the clinic is described, including the sources of referral, demographic data, psychiatric, and medical diagnoses, and type of clinic contact. A total of 96 patients were seen in 390 visits, equaling three quarters of a liaison fellow's salary.