General hospital psychiatry
-
Consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry as a service entity has developed slowly and to a variable extent in Australia despite the presence of factors conducive to its development. These include a compulsory national health insurance system and a favorable disposition to the biopsychosocial model and to psychoanalytic ideas. ⋯ An Australian and New Zealand C-L psychiatry interest group is being formed. Collaboration with the MICRO-CARES Consortium and the European Consultation-Liaison Workgroup is proving to be a great stimulus.