Consultation-Liaison Scheme for Self-Poisoned Patients in a General Hospital

Random allocation of 276 self-poisoned hospital patients to medical teams or to psychiatrists for an initial psychiatric assessment & a decision about “disposal” occurred. Provided that psychiatric treatment & social work support are available once patients have been assessed, the consultation-liaison scheme is very useful. It helps to change unfavorable attitudes towards self-poisoned patients. (15 ref)