Agreement Between Referring Doctors and Hospital Specialists in Psychiatric Admissions
Author Information
Author(s): Deraas Trygve S, Hansen Vidje, Giæver Anton, Olstad Reidun
Primary Institution: University Hospital of North Norway
Hypothesis
How do referring doctors and admitting specialists agree on the need for hospitalization in acute psychiatric cases?
Conclusion
The study found that the casualty clinic physicians and hospital specialists mostly agreed on the need for hospitalization, indicating that most admissions were appropriate.
Supporting Evidence
- The specialists accepted all but one referral.
- Seventy-five percent of admissions occurred during weekends or holidays.
- Thirty percent of admissions were first-time admissions.
- The police were involved in one third of all admissions.
Takeaway
Doctors at the casualty clinic and hospital mostly agreed on whether patients needed to be admitted for psychiatric care, showing they are good at deciding who needs help.
Methodology
Retrospective, record-based, descriptive study analyzing 101 psychiatric acute referrals.
Potential Biases
The study may underestimate the role of substance abuse and the involvement of police in admissions.
Limitations
Information and assessments made by doctors may be missing, and social background factors were insufficiently documented.
Participant Demographics
Mean age was 32 years, with 55% men; most patients were unmarried and lived alone.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.004
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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