A Study of Psychiatric Referral from Other Specialties: Consultation-liaison Psychiatry

Abstract Background: Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) is a rapidly growing subspecialty that addresses the psychiatric needs of patients referred from other medical specialties. Despite its increasing importance, research in this field remains limited, emphasizing the need for further study and new insights. Aims: This cross-sectional exploratory study aimed to examine the reasons for psychiatric referrals and assess concordance between reason for reference and final psychiatric diagnosis. Methodology: A total of 152 psychiatric referrals to the CLP team were evaluated to determine the reasons for referral and the level of diagnostic concordance. Settings: This was conducted at a tertiary healthcare center in western India. Results: The most common reasons for psychiatric referrals were alcohol-related disorders, altered sensorium, anxiety, and conversion. Other notable reasons included low mood, irritability, and sleep disturbances. The most common diagnoses made by the CLP team were alcohol dependence, delirium, dissociative disorder, and depressive disorder. While referral reasons matched the final diagnosis in many cases, conditions like dissociative disorders were identified relatively quickly, whereas depression and bipolar disorder faced delays. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need to enhance psychiatric training in medical education and highlight the crucial role of consultation-liaison psychiatrists in improving diagnosis, patient care, and mental health awareness. Strengthening cross-departmental collaboration and adopting a holistic approach can further support early identification and comprehensive management of psychiatric conditions.