The Role and Impact of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatric Nursing within Health Care Systems
Keywords:
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatric Nursing, Effectiveness, General Hospital, Psychiatric Comorbidity, Psychosocial Care, Quality of CareAbstract
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) nursing is a specialized area of psychiatric nursing that bridges the gap between general hospital services and mental health care by integrating medical-psychiatric treatment with physical and psychosocial care. This review aims to explore the historical development, roles, practice areas, and effectiveness of CLP nursing, with particular attention to its impact on patient outcomes and the healthcare system. Evidence indicates that CLP nurses contribute significantly to holistic and patient-centered care by offering both direct psychosocial interventions to patients and families and indirect support through consultation and education to healthcare teams. Their presence improves outcomes related to depression, anxiety, quality of life, and patient satisfaction, and helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care. Moreover, CLP nurses foster multidisciplinary collaboration, empower general hospital staff, and contribute to a psychologically safe environment, particularly in high-stress units such as emergency departments and oncology wards. International literature supports the positive effects of CLP nursing services on clinical outcomes, continuity of care, and system efficiency. However, the implementation of CLP nursing remains limited in certain areas—particularly in pediatric populations and in countries like Türkiye, where institutional structures, legal regulations, and systematic training programs are still lacking. To maximize the potential of CLP nursing, it is essential to increase its visibility, integrate it into health policies, expand training programs, and support nurses' active involvement in multidisciplinary teams. The findings of this review underscore that CLP nursing is not a luxury but an essential and effective component of holistic health care that deserves broader recognition and structural support.
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