‘Medical clearance’ and referral to liaison psychiatry: a national service evaluation

TL;DR

This study examines how the term 'medical clearance' is used in psychiatric referrals and finds it is inconsistently applied, potentially delaying mental health care.

Contribution

The study reveals the inconsistent use and poor definition of 'medical clearance' in psychiatric referrals across England.

Findings

Most trust policies use 'medical clearance' terminology as a referral criterion.

The term is inconsistently understood and defined by clinicians.

'Medical clearance' is a common barrier to timely psychiatric care.

Abstract

The prevalence of delaying psychiatric care until the patient has received ‘medical clearance’, and the definitions and understanding of ‘medical clearance’ terminology by relevant clinicians, are largely unknown. In a service evaluation of adult liaison psychiatry services across England, we explore the prevalence, definitions and understanding of ‘medical clearance’ terminology in three parallel studies: (a) an analysis of trust policies, (b) a survey of liaison psychiatry services and (c) a survey of referring junior doctors. Content and thematic analyses were performed.

‘Medical clearance’ terminology was used in the majority of trust policies, reported as a referral criterion by many liaison psychiatry services and had been encountered by most referring doctors. ‘Medical clearance’ was identified as a common barrier to liaison psychiatry referral. Terms were inconsistently used and poorly defined.

Many liaison psychiatry services seem not to comply with guidance promoting parallel assessment. This may affect parity of physical and mental healthcare provision.

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