Abstract
The field of liaison psychiatry in Japan has been drawing gradual attention in recent years. There is some confusion as to the definition and function of liaison psychiatry. The authors think that the participation of psychiatrists in the care of All patients is the essence of liaison psychiatry. We attempted the participation of psychiatrists in the treatment of all patients in the primary care department of Kawasaki Medical School. Of 412 inpatients, 63.3% were subjects of liaison psychiatry, and 24.3% shoewed a neurotic reaction after admission. The hcidence of neurotic reaction was related to the length of hospitalization, process of the illness and the acceptance of the physician in charge. It may be concluded from these results that liaison psychiatry has greatly expanded the area of psychiatry and that its involvement in therapy is needed. Education of general physicians, changes in psychiatrists themselves and considention of the cost of liaison psychiatry work are needed for the development of liaison psychiatry.
