When a psychiatrist receives a call for a patient admitted in the medical / surgical unit of a general hospital, he needs to make a quick and comprehensive assessment, provide his / her opinion on the diagnosis and management of the psychological and behavioural symptoms in the patient. This short guide helps to provide a framework of the 6 domains that need to be assessed and provides a framework on how to structure the assessment and provide management plans based on patient's general condition.
A second chapter is added to outline the evaluation and management of alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal in a medical setting.