Psychiatric Consultations From Public Wards of a Melbourne Metropolitan Teaching Hospital

One hundred and eighty consecutive patients referred to the psychiatric unit from the adult general wards of a Melbourne teaching hospital were studied. Patterns of referrals, the incidence and category of psychiatric disability and the nature of the service rendered to patients are noted and discussed. Significant features found include a referral rate of more than 5% of those admitted to the general hospital, medical units supplying 84% of all referrals, 42% after attempts at suicide. Males formed 40% of referrals and 30% of attempts at suicide. Patients with neurotic and psychotic depression comprised 47% of all referrals, and those with other neuroses, personality and situational disturbances 34%. Organic psychoses comprised 13%, and schizophrenia 5%.