title: [Geropsychiatric liaisonservices and nursing homes--do they need them? Results of a pilot study in five nursing homes in Germany].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This project evaluates whether a multidisciplinary consultation-liaison team with special geropsychiatric experience can help to reduce complex care problems in mentally ill nursing-home residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective longitudinal study of patients living in 5 nursing homes in Germany, supplemented by expert interviews with the members of the consultation-liaison team, as well as semi-structured interviews and by a questionnaire answered by the participating nursing home staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data show that in spite of the high burden of disease and the usually progressive course of illness a majority of residents could benefit from the interventions applied by the multidisciplinary team. Additionally, there were positive effects on the work situation of staff and a reduction of costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that a geropsychiatric consultation-liaison team for nursing homes may improve service delivery especially with regard to behavioral psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD).
authors.affiliation: iso-Institut für Sozialforschung und Sozialwirtschaft Saarbrücken.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirchen-Peters
authors.forename: Rosa-Adelinde
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fehrenbach
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diefenbacher
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D005858:Germany; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs