Liaison psychiatrist in a specialist diabetes centre

Abstract

Aims and MethodTo identify psychiatric conditions that may require psychiatric treatment in individuals referred from a diabetes centre to a liaison psychiatry diabetes clinic and to examine the referral pattern and reasons for referral. the study was a prospective case-note survey over a 12-month period.ResultsThe most common reason for referral was low mood (37.5%) and the most common psychiatric diagnosis was adjustment disorder (28.6%). Most individuals were referred by diabetes specialist nurses (53.1%). the majority (85.7%) were seen by a clinical psychologist after an initial assessment by a psychiatrist.Clinical ImplicationsCommon mental disorders occur frequently in individuals referred to a liaison diabetes clinic, hence the importance of early diagnosis. the involvement of psychiatrists in specialist diabetes clinics is very limited and better involvement is desirable.