Research on a children's psychiatric inpatient service.

It is widely recognized that child psychiatry needs to expand its research enterprise. Psychiatric inpatient units that serve children and adolescents should serve important roles in clinical research in child psychiatry. This paper reviews the need for research on the nature and treatment of psychiatric disorders on children's psychiatric inpatient services and discusses the resources necessary for a productive inpatient research program. The intrinsic relationship between clinical care and clinical study is emphasized.