PSYCHIATRIC UNITS IN GENERAL HOSPITALS-Problems in Development and Efficient Operation.

An adequate 25-bed psychiatric unit can be housed in a wing of a general hospital. Even more important than physical facilities are competent personnel, to be headed by a chief psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse supervisor, for the unit. Incorporating teaching facilities into the unit helps to integrate psychiatry into the other disciplines of medicine in a continuing educational program. Having psychiatric units in general hospitals enables many voluntary patients to be treated in early stages of the disorder, with a high proportion of recoveries. Medicolegal aspects and the lack of adequate coverage of mental disorders by voluntary prepayment health plans are serious problems in the economy of a unit. Improved hospital administration, expanded training programs, educational work by local mental health societies and modification of laws on malpractice and commitment will go far to help solve these problems.