[What follows the diagnosis of a somatoform disorder?--An empirical study on health condition and health care utilisation two to four years after psychosomatic consultation in a university hospital].
Many hospitals provide psychosomatic consultation services for patients with unclear physical symptoms. The present follow-up-study aimed to analyse the situation of patients with somatoform disorders (ICD-10 F45) after psychosomatic consultation. It was performed at two times, in 1995 and 2004. Two to four years after psychosomatic consultation, 37 respectively 79 former patients answered a questionnaire on symptom load, psychosocial impairment and health care utilisation as well as the Screening of Somatoform Disorders SOMS-2. The results of both samples show the majority of patients to have persistent symptoms with considerable psychosocial impairments. The utilisation of outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment is insufficient. New concepts of psychosomatic consultation services have to be realized in cooperation with general practitioners. They should focus on motivating patients for psychotherapy.
Sammet
Isa
I
Abteilung Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Innere Medizin VI, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen. Isa.Sammet@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Bohn
Thomas
T
Schrauth
Markus
M
Leibing
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires