Diagnostic and treatment comparisons of patients presenting at psychiatric emergency centres

Abstract

This study compares profiles of patients presenting at psychiatric emergency centres based in general hospitals in Australia (Melbourne), America (Boston), and in the United Kingdom (Bristol). Although the distributions of psychiatric emergencies at the three hospitals appeared to be similar, the Melbourne centre had the largest proportion of patients being referred for outpatient treatment. The data suggests a difference in the delivery of services between the centres which does not appear to be simply due to differences in the psychiatric profiles of presenting patients. It was concluded that the delivery of services at the Melbourne centre was similar to the American profile, rather than the British.