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


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


CONCLUSIONS
Psychotherapeutic interventions in the liaison service are not always effective or related to the indication.
Fritzsche
K
K
Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie am Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg. kurt.fritzsche@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Spahn
C
C
Nübling
M
M
Wirsching
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*