General hospital psychiatry
-
In its position at the interface between the community and the general hospital, the emergency ward (EW) serves to reconcile the complex needs of the local population with the traditional organizational structure of the hospital. In recent years, the EW has been faced with the dilemma of managing increasing numbers of psychotic patients with chronic illness and psychosocial problems. ⋯ This issues facing general hospitals in the development of emergency care are clarified. The need for further research, program development, and clinical implementation is discussed.