As a measure of community awareness, this study examined the predictive properties of the diagnoses in referral communications for mental illness and dementia in elderly people. The patients were referred to the Aged Care Assessment Team from diversified sources over an 18-month period, the referral initiators being the general practitioner (GP), community nurse, family and others. There were 90 patients with dementia and 32 with psychiatric disorders. The referral letters were examined retrospectively as to the content and yield identifying a definite or possible diagnosis of dementia or psychiatric illness. The GP and community nurse had comparable rates of success as compared with the other two groups. The ability of the GP and other groups to diagnose functional psychiatric disorders was generally negative.

Keywords:
Dementia, Psychiatric disorders, Community referrals
This content is only available via PDF.
1998
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.