A psychiatric emergency service: a preliminary report.

An emergency service for psychiatric patients was organized in a general hospital owing to the increasing need for such a service. Its main functions have been to screen cases, to offer short-term treatment, and to provide immediate consultation facilities to general practitioners and clinical experience to students, interns and residents.Of 133 patients, 40% were diagnosed as psychotic and 35% as neurotic. The commonest presenting symptoms were anxiety and depression. Approximately 40% were treated by the staff of the emergency service, 40% were sent back to the general practitioner for treatment, and 20% were transferred to a mental hospital.It is concluded that this type of service can provide immediate and effective consultation and treatment for psychiatric emergencies, and is a very useful teaching facility, especially for students and physicians not intending to specialize in psychiatry.