[Primary/psychiatry interconsultation care: use of the single consultation].

OBJECTIVE

To study the use of single consultation in Primary Care/Psychiatry liaison.

DESIGN

A retrospective study. SITE. Outpatients psychiatry department. Hospital Clínico Universitario. Zaragoza.

PATIENTS OR OTHERS PARTICIPANTS

200 consecutive referrals.

PERIOD

June-December 1992.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

GP does not report psychiatric symptoms in 24% of cases. If he reports it, describes significatively between GP and psychiatrist. There are important differences in relation to diagnosis: psychiatrist tend to diagnose less than GP Depression but uses more Dysthymia and Adjustment Disorder. 20% of patients referred to the psychiatrist are not considered psychiatric cases. GP ask for single consultation in 35% of patients, but psychiatrist discharges back to GP only 15% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary Care/Psychiatry liaison should be improved. GP should clearly explain the amount of clinical responsibility they want to be involved in. Psychiatrists should asses more frequently the possibility of single consultation.