'Medical clearance' and referral to liaison psychiatry: a national service evaluation.

Aims and method: 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.

Results: '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.

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