Accuracy of Referring Psychiatric Diagnosis

Abstract

Background: The author examined the accuracy of the initial psychiatric diagnosis of primary medical providers requesting
psychiatric consultation in a medical inpatient setting in a university hospital.
Methods: A retrospective review of 217 consecutive psychiatric consultations was conducted in which the initial diagnostic
impression of primary medical providers was compared with the nal psychiatric diagnosis.
Results: The accuracy of psychiatric diagnosis was the highest for cognitive disorders 60%, followed by depression 50% and
anxiety disorders 46%, whereas the accuracy of diagnosing psychosis was 0%.
Conclusion: Thus, the accuracy of initial diagnoses made by primary medical providers is quite variable. Factors affecting these
results are discussed.