Mental health services in Malta -1996

Abstract

Mental Health problems are common in medical practice. In general practice as many as one consultation in three may involve psychological problems and about a third of medical and surgical in-patients will show significant psychiatric morbidity. Although only a few doctors will choose psychiatry as their main career, the majority of psychiatric problems present to general practitioners in the community and specialists in other fields. Every clinician should be able to recognise these psychiatric aspects, to consider how these will affect management and whether to refer to a psychiatrist. It is therefore important for the medical undergraduate to be well versed in psychiatry, to know when and how to refer and to be familiar with the range of psychiatric facilities.