[Design of psychiatric-psychotherapeutic institute ambulatory care: survey to determine need].
OBJECTIVE
In Germany, outpatient care is provided exclusively by physicians in private practice. This privilege is very strictly observed, with only a few exceptions. While psychiatric hospitals are routinely permitted to establish outpatient clinics, psychiatric departments of general hospitals, even if they serve a catchment area, need a formal permission of the organisation of the physicians in private practice. The law requires proof for some kind of "demand".


METHODS
In the catchment area of a recently founded psychiatric department of a rural general hospital, 44% of 131 medical practitioners answered a written questionnaire.


RESULTS
Psychiatrists and psychologists objected to any kind of outpatient clinic, as expected. All the general practitioners and specialists, however, supported the idea.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians practising in the area do not agree with their organization's policy. Many of them favour the possibility to have selected patients cared for at the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the local hospital.
Böcker
F M
FM
Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie am Kreiskrankenhaus Saale-Unstrut, Naumburg. FM.Boecker@t-online.de
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data