Psychiatric consultation-liaison in Sweden surveyed: A patchwork of reimbursement schemes, organizational structures and levels of ambition

In order to make a survey of consultation-liaison (c-l) psychiatric activity a questionnaire was distributed to all psychiatric departments in Sweden. Questions were asked concerning organization, reimbursement and indicators of the quality level of services. 42 of 72 possible responders returned the questionnaire (58%). The department-affiliated services work with few exceptions at a basic level of consultation, and existing liaison activities seldom have any organizational connection to the psychiatric departments. There is no commonly accepted organizational model and the use of professional categories other than psychiatrists is rare. Five psychiatric departments have special c-l units and research is pursued almost exclusively at these. A majority of respondents express a need for expansion. So far, the services have been working at a level of gentlemen's agreement between clinics, but a number of compensatory schemes are under way.