Am J Psychiatry 1985; 142:333-336
Copyright © 1985 by American Psychiatric Association
Geropsychiatric consultation in a university hospital: a report on 67 referrals
PE Ruskin
The author describes the evaluation and treatment of 67 patients 60 years
old or older who were referred to a consultation-liaison service in a
university hospital. Age, sex, referring service, reasons for referral,
psychiatric diagnosis, and interventions or recommendations were
determined. Primary psychiatric diagnoses included depression (24%),
dementia (19%), delirium (18%), schizophrenia (16%), and personality
disorders (12%). Recommendations or interventions included advice in the
use of psychotropic medications (61%), assistance with competency issues
(25%), recommendation for further medical evaluation or treatment (36%),
individual psychotherapy (28%), family therapy (25%), disposition planning
(24%), and transfer to a geropsychiatry unit (12%). Hospitalized elderly
patients with emotional problems represent a unique diagnostic and
therapeutic challenge.
