[The communication of chronically III patients in an internet chat for aftercare of inpatient psychosomatic treatment].
OBJECTIVE
E-Health applications open new avenues for seamless care of patients with a chronic disease. This study examines the demand and the usage pattern of an Internet-assisted aftercare group-treatment following inpatient treatment.


METHODS
The analysis uses data from telephone interviews which were conducted 12 months after discharge. 168 study participants of the prospective controlled effectiveness study (73.7%) participated. The frequency and the time of beginning an outpatient psychotherapy are compared between controls and chat participants. Computerized text-analyses of the chat-scripts are used to examine the usage pattern of the chat-aftercare. Statements of the patients with chronic symptoms at the beginning and at the end of their chat participation are quoted for illustration of the contents of the group therapy sessions.


RESULTS
Patients with chronic course of illness utilize the online-based aftercare more frequently and more actively than patients with short durations of illness. Words indicating cognitive processes are used more frequently by chat participant with chronic illness. Chat participants with chronic course of illness who are receiving no additional outpatient psychotherapy, relapse considerably less frequently than controls without any psychotherapeutic support.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with chronic course of illness use online aftercare treatment to sustainably improve their health status.
Zimmer
B
B
Forschungsstelle für Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg.
Moessner
M
M
Kordy
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012803:Sick Role; D012984:Software; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014600:Utilization Review