The role of the psychiatrist in the general hospital--II. Psychiatric patients with somatic complaints.

In part I, one of the important roles of the psychiatrist in the general hospital was pointed out with respect to the management and treatment of psychiatric patients with somatic complaints (PPSC) referred from other nonpsychiatric departments of the hospital. Part II deals with the way in which a PPSC is brought to the psychiatrist, and the basic principles concerning the initial interview which is crucial to the management and treatment of such patients. The principles for the initial interview are to clarify: (1) the processes through which the patient came to the psychiatrist, (2) the patient's motivation for receiving psychiatric help, (3) the nature of his relationship to the physician, and (4) related anxiety, etc. Referral of the patient to psychiatric treatment should not be done in haste, but advice to the physician must be given on maintaining or improving his relationship with the patient. Advice on how patients should be introduced to psychiatric treatment is included here.