The function of a consultation liaison service to a spinal injuries unit is described. Within this context, a study was conducted in which sociodemographic and clinical data were collected over a 4 year period for consecutive admissions to the unit. Data are presented for 227 patients admitted during this period. Forty-seven patients were found to have discrete psychiatric disorders (DSM III) which required treatment during the course of their inpatient care. For forty-two of these patients the psychiatric disorder first developed following spinal cord injury.
References
1.
BurkeD C, BurleyH T, Ungar GH. Data on spinal injuries - part 1. Collection and analysis of 352 consecutive admissions.Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery1985; 55: 3–12.
2.
WalshJ. Actuarial research into physical disablement. Report of Research Project. 1: 1–114 Quadcare 1 Rooke Street, Hunters Hill, NSW 2110.
3.
JuddF K, Burrows GD. Liaison psychiatry in a spinal injuries unit.Paraplegia1986; 24: 6–19.
4.
CraigA R, HancockK M, DicksonH, MartinJ, ChangE. Psychological consequences of spinal injury: a review of the literature.Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry1990; 24: 418–425.
5.
WitthowerE, GingrasG, MeglerL, WidgorB, LepineA. A combined psychosocial study of spinal cord lesions.Canadian Medical Association Journal1954; 71: 109–115.
6.
SillerJ. Psychological situation of the disabled with spinal cord injuries.Rehabilitation Literature1969; 30: 290–296.
7.
KerrW, ThompsonM. Acceptance of disability of sudden onset in paraplegia.Paraplegia1972; 10: 94–102.
8.
BergerS, GarrattJ. Psychological problems of the paraplegic patient.Journal of Rehabilitation1952; 18: 15–17.
9.
HohmannG. Psychological aspects of treatment and rehabilitation of the spinal injured person.Clinical Orthopaedics1975; 112: 81–88.
10.
StewartTD. Spinal cord injury: a role for the psychiatrist.American Journal of Psychiatry1977; 134: 538–541.
11.
BrackenM B, ShephardMJ. Coping and adaptation following acute spinal injury. A theoretical analysis.Paraplegia1980; 18: 74–85.
12.
LawsonN. Significant events in the rehabilitation process: the spinal cord patients' point of view.Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation1978; 59: 573–579.
13.
FullertonD T, HarveyR F, KleinMH. Psychiatric disorders in patients with spinal cord injuries.Archives of General Psychiatry1981; 38: 1369–1371.
14.
JuddF K, StoneJ, WebberJ E, BrownD J, BurrowsGD. Depression following spinal cord injury. A prospective inpatient study.British Journal of Psychiatry1989; 154: 668–671.
15.
BorsE. Phantom limbs with spinal cord injury.Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry1951; 66: 610–631.
16.
ConomyJ. Disorders of body image with spinal cord injury.Neurology1973; 23: 842–850.
17.
PinkertonA C, GriffinML. Rehabilitation outcomes in females with spinal cord injury: A follow-up study.Paraplegia1983; 21: 166–175.
18.
HopkinsG. Patterns of self destruction among the orthopedically disabled.Rehabilitation Research and Practice Review1971; 3: 5–16.
19.
WilcoxN, StaufferE. Followup of 423 consecutive patients admitted to the spinal cord centre Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, 1 January to 31 December 1967.Paraplegia1972; 10: 115–122.
20.
NyquistR, BorsE. Mortality and survival in traumatic myelopathy during 19 years from 1946–1965.Paraplegia1967; 5: 22–48.
21.
StewartTD. Psychiatric diagnosis and treatment following spinal cord injury.Psychosomatics1988; 29: 214–220.
22.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.3rd ed.Washington DC.1980.
23.
Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.Australian standard classification of occupations. Structural & alphabetical list.Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1987.
24.
MayouR, HawtonK. Psychiatric disorder in the General Hospital.British Journal of Psychiatry1986; 149: 172–190.
