Quality of referral letters to Abha Psychiatric Hospital, Asir region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the quality of referral letters from different health institutions to Abha Psychiatric Hospital, the only psychiatric center in Asir region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: In this descriptive study, a total of 582 consecutive referral letters to Abha Psychiatric Hospital, during the first half of 1998, were evaluated for the components that are supposed to be found in the consentient referral letter to a psychiatric service. Each letter quality was indicated as good or poor according to the used scale.

RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of the referral letters were poor. The clinical information relating to the psychiatric history was significantly poor compared to other clinical information (p<0.05). Asir Central Hospital (tertiary level) referral letters were better in quality than those of secondary hospitals (p<0.001). Referral letters with diagnosis or impression of legal concern showed a better quality compared to others (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The quality of clinical information relating to the psychiatric history in the referral letters to psychiatric service, needs to be improved to ensure better patient care and more appropriate use of resources.