Psychiatric consultation-liaison interventions: recollection, perception and outcome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate recollection, perception and outcome of psychiatric consultation in a general hospital.

Methods: 321 patients with three main diagnoses (substance use, affective, and adjustment disorders), who had been examined by consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists within the past twelve months, initially took part in a telephone interview and were subsequently asked to complete and return questionnaires by mail.

Results: Response rates for the telephone interview were 75.4%, and 46.7% of patients returned the completed questionnaires. 86.0% of the patients were able to remember seeing the C-L psychiatrist and 43.3% recalled their diagnosis accurately. 70.5% stated that this contact had been helpful. 61.5% remembered being given a psychiatric after-care recommendation, and 43.5% of the patients stated that they either disregarded or prematurely discontinued after-care.

Conclusions: Even though the perception of the consultation is generally positive, many patients are not able to retain the given information on diagnosis and treatment recommendation. To increase continuity of care and to better address patients' needs we altered our C-L structure.