A psychiatric liaison team at the university medical services: A pilot experience

Introduction University students represent a specific population with concerns, burdens and worries that differ from other age and occupation groups. Students’ experiences are often exciting and empowering, yet facing multiple stressors that may trigger various forms of psychopathology. Our psychiatry department created a specific liaison service for university students in order to provide an easy and quick access to this medical speciality, included at the Multidisciplinary University Medical Services. Aims To characterize a sample of college student users of our Psychiatry Liaison Unit regarding socio-demographic and clinic variables. Methods Socio-demographic and clinic characterization was undertaken in all students observed during sixteen months (1st April 2015–30th July 2016). Results Fifty-three outpatients were observed: 35 females (66%) and 18 males (34%), aged between 18 and 39 years old (average: 23.94; median: 23). The majority was Portuguese and lived originally in urban areas. A total of75.3% were displaced and 60% lived with colleagues while 84.9% attended an undergraduate degree, and 38% studied at faculty of Science and Technology. Clinically, 79.2% were referenced by the University Medical Services, and adjustment disorders (ICD-10 F43.2) were the most frequent diagnosis. Relatively to suicidal behaviors and self-harm, 5.7% did self-cutting, 49.1% took an antidepressant combined with another psychotropic drugs, and 81.1% maintained cognitive-behavioral interventions. Conclusions The typical university students’ psychiatry outpatient was of female gender, in an undergraduate degree, displaced and living without their family. The most frequent diagnosis was adjustment disorder, and about a quarter were successfully discharged. Multidisciplinary University Medical Services located near to students can easily refer patients to Psychiatry Liaison Units, allowing diagnosis and intervention at early stages of mental disease.