Reporting psychosomatic consultations in the discharge letter:: an examination of communication between inpatient and primary care physicians

The discharge letter is the primary means of communication between the inpatient and the outpatient treatment providers in the German health care system. The inclusion of psychosomatic consultation findings within the discharge letter is a critical step for impacting the psychosocial aspects of patient care following discharge. The present retrospective study measured the extent to which psychosomatic consultations conducted at the University of Heidelberg Medical Hospital were mentioned in the discharge letter during a 2-year index period. Psychosomatic consultations (N=605) were requested by a total of 101 inpatient physicians and conducted by 9 consultants. Of the 528 discharge letters that were reviewed, 67.8% referenced the psychosomatic consultation. Results from a stepwise logistic regression analysis found that a reason for referral due to "presumed psychiatric etiology of unexplained physical complaints" was the strongest predictor of whether the consultation was mentioned in the discharge letter (odds ratio=2.27). In contrast, a referral due to "coping and compliance problems" or the identification of psychosocial problems secondary to a somatic illness significantly decreased the chance of communication. The high rate of communication when physicians are confronted with a complex diagnostic picture involving presumed psychiatric comorbidity underscores the perceived usefulness of the consultation. However, consultants may need to take an active role in facilitating the management of psychosocial aspects of care during the inpatient stay and following discharge in an effort to improve concordance. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.