Medical clearance and the psychiatric patient: An emergency medicine perspective

The psychiatrist and the emergency physician interact frequently in the course of the treatment and disposition of psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department setting. Adequate and meaningful communication between the specialties involved in the care of these patients is paramount. Costly and unnecessary medical workups can be avoided if a reasonable medical history and physical exam is performed by the psychiatrist, the emergency physician, or both, as appropriate. On the other hand, when suspicion exists on the part of the physician, focused laboratory and x-ray evaluations is both appropriate and necessary for the proper care of these patients. Complete history and physical exams, repeated periodically as necessary, and good communication are the keys to quality medical care for psychiatric patients.