Consultation-liaison service of Department of Psychosomatic Medicine in University of Tokyo

The purposes of this study were to report the current activity of consultation-liaison service mainly in germ-free wards of Department of Psychosomatic Medicine in University of Tokyo with the review of previous studies. The total number of consultation from 1994 to 1996 was 74 ; 19 in 1994, 17 in 1995, and 38 in 1996. The rapid increase in number of consultees in 1996 was due to our beginning of consultation-liaison activity in germ- free wards. From June, 1996 to May, 1997, we were consulted on 30 patients in germ-free wards; 13 patients for chemotherapy and 17 patients for bone marrow transplantation. From the viewpoint of psychooncology, psychological support of patients and staff in germ-free wards is so necessary that we should substantiate the system of consultation-liaison activity in this specific field. The important issues to be considered are as follows. Most of our consultees are from the department of internal medicine. The medical staff in other departments should also pay attention to the consultation-liaison activity. Another issue concerns the economical problem that we do not receive any rewards for our activity. Therefore, consultation-liaison services should be organized as a system both practically and economically.