AbstractThe characteristics of 75 children referred to psychiatrists by medical practitioners in Hong Kong were compared with 56 children who were referred by their families to a community clinic. Their demographic characteristics, and the nature and severity of their illness, were quite similar. Medical practitioners tended to refer children with childhood psychosis and psychophysiological disorder. The reasons leading to different types of referral are discussed. A community child mental health clinic may be a useful model for providing psychiatric care to children in Hong Kong.
展开▼