[Evaluation of therapeutic success by patients with anxiety disorders after inpatient psychotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors influencing the subjective assessment of patients regarding the outcome of in-patient psychotherapy for anxiety disorders.


METHODS
A total of 231 patients were tested at admission, discharge and 1-year follow-up in a multi-center study. Subjective outcome assessment was measured with the revised German version of the Helping Alliance Questionnaire. The use of the term "outcome satisfaction" is discussed.


RESULTS
Patient outcome assessment did not correlate with age, sex, or education, or with duration or severity of illness or duration of treatment. Outcome assessment was closely connected with therapy success. Reaching a low symptom level ("clinical significance") had a higher impact than a high pre-post-difference ("statistical significance").


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety patients give a generally positive assessment of their therapy outcome, which is most determined by symptom-related treatment success. The differentiation of "clinical" and "statistical significance" of success is of importance for the patient's subjective view of the therapy outcome.
Geiser
F
F
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn. kohla@mailer.meb.uni-bonn.de
Bassler
M
M
Bents
H
H
Carls
W
W
Joraschky
P
P
Michelitsch
B
B
Paar
G
G
Ullrich
J
J
Liedtke
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy