[Success of referral in a psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic outpatient unit of a dental school].
OBJECTIVE
The success of referral for psychotherapy and the predictors thereof are investigated in dentistry in an outpatient unit for psychosomatics.


METHODS
238 patients were asked in a telephone interview concerning their satisfaction with the consultation as well as any change in their complaints and treatments after their contact with the outpatient unit.


RESULTS
82.3 % of the patients were satisfied with the consultation, and 55.9 % reported an improvement in their complaints. In 76.1 % of the patients psychotherapy was indicated, and 56.7 % showed motivation and were referred to psychotherapy. Thereof, 66.7 % actually began treatment. Introspective capacity and motivation for psychotherapy predicted successful referral. Patients suffering from somatoform disorders were significantly less motivated to begin psychotherapy and showed a tendency toward premature termination of psychotherapy. In patients with anxiety disorders, the reverse was the case. Patients who did not begin psychotherapy changed their dentist significantly more frequently.


CONCLUSIONS
The consultation at the outpatient unit can be regarded as successful insofar as four-fifths of the patients were satisfied and two-thirds of those referred actually began psychotherapy, which in turn significantly reduces "dentist shopping."
Schwichtenberg
Julia
J
Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik und Werkstoffkunde, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
Doering
Stephan
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002012:Bruxism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome