EPA-0368 – Liaison Psychiatry in Poland - can we Acchieve the Successful Holistic Diagnosis? - survey

Abstract

The decades bring increasing number of new medical specialties together with inevitable progress of medical science. This is caused by an expanding amount of knowledge, but remaining constant physical and intellectual capabilities of man. In the contrast to the time of Hippocrates, today you can not be an expert in every field of medicine. We need to consult with specialists in various fields to properly diagnose the patient. Without that often a definitive diagnosis is impossible.

The objective of our survey was to check how often psychiatrists use the consultation with physicians in other specialties and whether there is a relationship between the place of work, academic degree, work experience in the profession and the amount of commissioned consultations. It was also important for us whether consultations affect the place of the final diagnosis.

Most of the respondents are young doctors, specialists from large cities. They rarely consult with doctors of other specialties - 1/10 cases - take into account the recognition of these cases. However they are sceptical about the opinions of other psychiatrists. Proctologist, pathologist are specializations with which psychiatrists consult the least (> 76% did not cooperate). The most often they work with specialists in the field of neurology and internists.

The key to diagnostic success is a holistic view of the patient, which consists of components of knowledge about somatic and mental disorders. It is necessary, therefore, possibly the most effective cooperation of doctors of various specialties.