The future of liaison psychiatry in the UK

Physicians' expectations of a liaison psychiatry service are briefly reviewed. There is some evidence that physicians are keen to extend their own knowledge and skills regarding psychological aspects of care, requesting more help in the management of patients with non-organic disorders, as well as more help from non-medical staff and help from psychiatrists in collaborative research. The future of liaison psychiatry in the UK depends very much on the psychiatrists' ability to meet these requests at the present time. Much more specific clinical guidelines, including jointly agreed algorithms and audit measures, must be developed by physicians and psychiatrists in collaboration. The training of physicians must incorporate some specific help with interview skills, and training programmes in psychiatry must produce more appropriately trained psychiatrists. If these measures are achieved, improved psychological care of general medical and surgical patients will become a routine aspect of a quality medical service and attract the necessary funding.