Nature and Reasons for Psychiatric referrals in in-patient settings in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Yasir A. Altuwairqi

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Nature and Reasons for Psychiatric referrals in in-patient settings in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Yasir A. Altuwairqi

Abstract :

Background: Inpatients with psychiatric comorbidity may suffer from functional impairment in addition to poor quality of life. Psychiatric illness can even complicate their medical conditions and worsen their clinical outcomes. No enough data is available on psychiatric consultation activities in Saudi Arabia. This study aims at identifying the nature and reasons for psychiatric referral in an inpatient�s setting in Saudi Arabia. Design and Setting: This retrospective study was done in patients who were referred from either surgical or medical care units in King Faisal hospital and King Abdulaziz specialist hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia over a period of three years including 2015, 2016 and 2017. Statistical analysis: Data was collected in an excel sheet and analyzed using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA), version 21 for Microsoft Windows. Descriptive data was analyzed in the form of counts and percent. Chi square test was used to compare variables over the two units. Results: Non urgent referrals were significantly (p=0.004) more prevalent in medical units (64.7%) compared to surgical units (54.7%). The most common reason for referral was �referral for evaluation� which was significantly (p<0.001) more common in the surgical unit (44.4%) compared to the medical unit (50.8%). The major cause of admission to both departments was overdosing, which was significantly (p=0.015) higher in medical unit (21%) compared to surgical unit (5.8%). Conclusion: The Knowledge of the referring physicians should be increased regarding the details to be shared with the psychiatrist. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the impact of psychiatric referrals on healthcare costs and patients� outcomes in Saudi Arabia.