Consultation liaison in primary care for people with mental disorders

Abstract

Approximately 25% of people will be affected by a mental disorder at some stage in their life. Despite the prevalence and negative impacts of mental disorders, many people are not diagnosed or do not receive adequate treatment. Therefore primary healthcare has been identified as essential to improving the delivery of mental healthcare. Consultation liaison is a model of mental healthcare where the primary care provider maintains the central role in the delivery of mental healthcare, with a mental health specialist providing consultative support. Consultation liaison has the potential to enhance the delivery of mental healthcare in the primary care setting and, in turn, improve outcomes for people with a mental disorder.