A pediatric--child-psychiatry liaison program in a community hospital

Abstract

In this paper the authors describe an innovative pediatric and child psychiatry liaison program in a community hospital. The primary focus of the program has been on the identification of normal and abnormal development of the hospitalized child and his family members, none of whom has obvious psychopathology. It has been directed toward and well received by medical students, pediatric residents, and paramedical personnel involved in pediatric hospital care and has increased the medical team's awareness of and sensitivities to patient and family needs.