Further evolution of a literature database: the international use of a common software structure and methodology for the establishment of national consultation/liaison databases

Implementation of a psychiatric consultation service: a single-site observational study over a 1-year-period

This study describes changes in consultation process variables and referral patterns after implementation of a psychiatric consultation service at a university hospital in Germany. Two hundred eighty consecutive medical-surgical inpatient referrals for psychiatric consultation during a 1-year period were documented prospectively with a structured database. Changes took place in referral patterns and in psychiatric interventions and recommendations but not in psychiatric diagnoses. In addition, information is given on psychiatric and psychosomatic consultation service delivery in Germany.