title: The value of treatment-goal themes for treatment planning and outcome evaluation of psychiatric inpatients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The taxonomy of treatment-goal themes of the Bern Inventory of Treatment Goals (BIT-T) has shown to be a comprehensive coding system for outpatient use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study examines the value of the BIT-T for treatment planning and outcome evaluation of psychiatric inpatients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 1991 treatment goals of 675 predominantly non-psychotic psychiatric inpatients were coded using the BIT-T. Ratings of goal-related changes by patients and length of stay were used as outcome criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BIT-T showed to be reliable and exhaustive. Distributions of goal themes are partially associated with diagnoses. Goal-related improvements as well as length of hospital stay differed depending on the themes of patients' treatment goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coding of treatment-goal themes with the BIT-T provides researchers as well as practitioners with valuable information that goes beyond psychopathological diagnoses. This information can be used clinically for treatment planning as well as outcome evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Section, University of Bern, Switzerland. grosse@ptp.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grosse Holtforth
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Reubi
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruckstuhl
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berking
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grawe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome