Medical and Surgical Inpatients Who Referred Themselves for Psychiatric Consultation

25 medical & surgical inpatients who referred themselves for psychiatric consultation were characterized compared to 787 other-referred clients. The self-referred were more likely to state depression (52%/25%) & anxiety (36%/11%). They were less likely referred by physicians for suicidal evaluation (4%/25%), general diagnosis (4%/22%), or behavior management (8%/23%). The “self-referral” challenges the current medical model referral mechanism where the doctor controls access to consultants.