Psychiatric referrals in a multidisciplinary Hospital

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the pattern of psychiatric referrals and to study the various diagnostic categories associated with physical disorders. The study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar over a period about three months. There were 100 psychiatric referrals during the study period. Patients were assessed on a structured proforma and psychiatric morbidity was classified according to ICD-10. Out of 100 patients, females [62%] outnumbered the males. The most common reasons for the referral were unexplained physical symptoms [40%] and disruptive behavior [15%]. Depression was the most common diagnosis made [40%]. More than two third of the patients [72%] were referred from medical units. 8% had no psychiatric morbidity. There is a need for greater dialogue and interactions between referring doctor and consultant psychiatrists