title: [Evaluation of the German Version of the "INTERMED-Self-Assessment"-Questionnaire (IM-SA) to Assess Case Complexity].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The INTERMED- interview (IM-CAG=INTERMED complexity assessment grid) is a well validated instrument for the identification of complex patients in need of integrated health care (score ≥21). The IM-SA (INTERMED self-assessment)-questionnaire, derived from the INTERMED- interview, was developed in cooperation with the international INTERMED group in order to facilitate its use in various clinical settings and to foster the patients' perspective on health-care needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The German version of the IM-SA was evaluated in a clinical sample (n=136) of psychosomatic outpatients and compared to the IM-CAG. Construct validity was examined by analyzing the correlations of the IM-SA with quality-of-life (SF-36) and anxiety/depression (HADS). Sensitivity and specificity for the identification of complex patients were examined by using ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correlations between the total score and the subscales of the IM-SA, compared to the INTERMED, were high (total score r=0.79 (95%-KI: [0.70; 0.85]). Cronbach's α was 0.77, and construct validity was high (SF-36 mental component score: r=-0.57; HADS Depression: r=0.59). The IM-SA total score was significantly lower compared to IM-CAG, mainly because of low IM-SA scores in the somatic domain. According to ROC analysis, the IM-SA-cut-off for identifying complex patients has to be lowered (score ≥17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IM-SA can be used as an instrument to identify complex patients in need of integrated bio-psycho-social care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IM-SA is a reliable instrument to be used in various clinical settings to identify complex patients and to provide integrated, bio-psycho-social care.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg.
authors.forename: Friederike Hildegard
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Boehlen
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum, Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Freiburg.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg.
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.affiliation: Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, Service de psychiatrie de liaison, Lausanne, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stiefel
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum, Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Freiburg.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eichenlaub
authors.affiliation: University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Department of Diagnostic-Clinical Medicine and Public Health, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: VU University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam/NL.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boenink
authors.affiliation: VU University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam/NL.
authors.forename: Arianne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Reedt Dortland
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Klinikum Nürnberg.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Klinikum Nürnberg.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Söllner
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wild
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires