A questionnaire was sent to 206 internists and surgeons asking them to
estimate the following: the frequency of psychiatric disorders and
behavioral problems among their patients, the type and frequency of
psychiatric medication they prescribed, the psychiatric consultation
services they most valued, and the type of psychiatric problems they
considered emergencies. These physicians estimated that 14% of their
patients had significant psychiatric problems; the most frequently
mentioned was depression. More than 25% of the physicians prescribed minor
tranquilizers, sedatives, and antidepressants at least once a week. Violent
behavior was considered a psychiatric emergency by the majority of
physicians. There were significant differences between the responses of
internists and those of surgeons.Abstract Teaser