[Enrichment of the functions of the psychiatric department in a general hospital and collaboration within the area].

Psychiatric disease has been included in the five main diseases, and a medical care plan is required. In it, there are many problems, for example, physical complications and which general hospital should chiefly deal with it. Here, we present a way to cope with these problems on the basis of achievements in the psychiatric department of Kameda General Hospital. Specifically, we would like to assert that creating a consultation-liaison team and enriching the section of clinical psychiatry are very important and effective. The activities of the consultation-liaison team, created to address various issues after establishing a psychiatric ward, have led to the possibility of a psychiatric department in a general hospital. Experience to date indicates that, in the context of a general hospital with a psychiatric inpatient unit, the existence of a multidisciplinary liaison team working across departmental boundaries is crucial to determining and managing the treatment of patients with psychiatric emergencies, as well as patients with psychiatric issues and physical complications. Additionally, in order to increase the effectiveness of the hospital liaison team, it is critical to realize seamless, prompt collaboration with facilities outside the hospital. In this respect, the role of a patient care coordinator is expected to become increasingly important. Additionally, enriching and guarding activities of clinical psychologists have contributed to the growth of psychiatric departments in general hospitals and proved to be effective in combination with activities of the consultation-liaison team.