Biomaterial Database

Psychiatric services in a rural general hospital. 1977

A Werner, and F A Knarr, and J M Stack

Rural areas face severe problems related to the inadequate distribution of psychiatrists. This paper describes a model of inpatient psychiatric care in a rural general hospital which has successfully overcome many of the constraints of the rural setting using a four member psychiatric consultation team. Using the medical community and its resources as the basis for care, a strong emphasis is also placed on continuing education for care providers. Important factors in the system include allowing all physicians to admit and care for psychiatric patients and the use of the emergency room physicians as interim admitting doctors when patients have no family physician. Other factors in the program are discussed. Problem areas have included continuity of care and treatment of certain types of patients. The results of the project have been an increase in the number of psychiatric patients admitted (140 to 268 per year) and a decrease in the number of patients sent to the state institution. Consultations requested on non-psychiatric patients, including children have increased from thirty-five to sixty-seven per year. Most patients now remain in the care of their own physicians throughout a mental illness episode. Cooperation between community practitioners and the center staff has improved. With increased skill, center and community physicians have shown greater self sufficiency in working with hospitalized patients and their families.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007400	Interprofessional Relations	The reciprocal interaction of two or more professional individuals.	Etiquette, Medical,Medical Etiquette,Relations, Interprofessional
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008962	Models, Theoretical	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of systems, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Experimental Model,Experimental Models,Mathematical Model,Model, Experimental,Models (Theoretical),Models, Experimental,Models, Theoretic,Theoretical Study,Mathematical Models,Model (Theoretical),Model, Mathematical,Model, Theoretical,Models, Mathematical,Studies, Theoretical,Study, Theoretical,Theoretical Model,Theoretical Models,Theoretical Studies
D011570	Psychiatry	The medical science that deals with the origin, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders.
D012017	Referral and Consultation	The practice of sending a patient to another program or practitioner for services or advice which the referring source is not prepared to provide.	Consultation,Gatekeepers, Health Service,Hospital Referral,Second Opinion,Consultation and Referral,Health Service Gatekeepers,Hospital Referrals,Referral,Referral, Hospital,Referrals, Hospital,Consultations,Gatekeeper, Health Service,Health Service Gatekeeper,Opinion, Second,Opinions, Second,Referrals,Second Opinions
D003266	Continuity of Patient Care	Health care provided on a continuing basis from the initial contact, following the patient through all phases of medical care.	Continuum of Care,Continuity of Care,Care Continuity,Care Continuity, Patient,Care Continuum,Patient Care Continuity
D004502	Education, Medical, Continuing	Educational programs designed to inform physicians of recent advances in their field.	Medical Education, Continuing,Continuing Medical Education,Education, Continuing Medical
D006760	Hospitalization	The confinement of a patient in a hospital.	Hospitalizations
D006764	Hospitals, Community	Institutions with permanent facilities and organized medical staff which provide the full range of hospital services primarily to a neighborhood area.	Community Hospital,Community Hospitals,Hospital, Community
D006769	Hospitals, General	Large hospitals with a resident medical staff which provides continuous care to maternity, surgical and medical patients.	General Hospital,General Hospitals,Hospital, General