[Need for and use of a university clinic mental health liaison service]

(Psychosomatischer Liaisondienst am Universitätsklinikum. Bedarf und Inanspruchnahme.)

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the complex decision-making process involving recognition of psychosocial stress, its diagnosis, and psychotherapeutic intervention within the framework of a psychosomatic consulting and liaison service. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Psychosocial stress was recorded using a psychometric questionnaire for 392 patients on admission to hospital, the estimated need of psychotherapeutic treatment, and the application of a psychosomatic liaison service. RESULTS: Of the examined patients, 44% presented with at least one mental disorder requiring treatment according to ICD-10 criteria. According to the expert opinions, a need for psychotherapeutic treatment was present in 41%, while 54% were themselves motivated for at least one of the psychotherapeutic treatments offered. Psychotherapy was actually received by 35% of the patients. While mental disorders and emotional distress were significant predictors of the need for treatment as rated by experts, they played no genuine role in determining indication or whether a patient accepts the use of psychotherapy CONCLUSION: Psychotherapeutic interventions in the liaison service are not always effective or related to the indication.

Author information

Author/s: Fritzsche, K (K); Spahn, C (C); Nübling, M (M); Wirsching, M (M);

Affiliation: Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie am Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg. kurt.fritzsche(-atsign-)uniklinik-freiburg.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Der Nervenarzt (Nervenarzt), published in Germany. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2007-Sep; vol 78 (issue 9) : pp 1037-45

Dates: Created 2007/09/11; Completed 2008/02/12;

PMID: 16523354, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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