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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the referral pattern of physical diseases in psychiatric in-patients in a university teaching general hospital. METHODS: A longitudinal prospective study, over 12 months with a consecutive series of referrals from psychiatric in-patient unit to other specialties, in King Khalid University Hospital, using a predesigned format that included information on age, sex, physical examination on admission, consulted medical specialties and opinion of the consulted physician. RESULTS: Referral rate was 38% of the total psychiatric in-patients. The most common consulted specialties were endocrinology (14.5%), dermatology (12.5%) and cardiology (12%). About three quarters of the patients were below 30 years of age. Physical examination on admission was not carried out for 16% of cases. Forty-four percent of clinicians responses were within 48 hours of the consultation. There were no responses in 12% of the consultations and no life-threatening physical conditions. About one-third of referred patients were schizophrenics. CONCLUSION: Physical diseases in psychiatric in-patients are common. Evaluation of psychiatric patients should include a detailed physical examination, thorough medical and psychiatric history, as well as appropriate laboratory testing. Improving psychiatrist trainees9 skills in detecting and assessing physical conditions in psychiatric patients is essential.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

864

Last Page

868

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