Lay Summary

In this study, the utilization of psychosocial interventions by people with severe mental disorders in Germany was recorded. The results show, that current utilization of psychosocial interventions is not based on the strength of recommendation in Germany. In addition, no other generalizable predictor for receiving or not receiving the interventions could be identified.

Background

Patients with a severe mental illness should receive guideline-based treatment, but translation of recommendations into routine care is often suboptimal. We assessed the extent to which patients with severe mental illness received recommended interventions of the evidence- and consensus-based German guideline on psychosocial interventions for people with severe mental disorders. We also analysed if strength of recommendation, availability of interventions or other regional or individual factors predict the utilization of psychosocial interventions.

Methods

We present preliminary results of an observational, cross-sectional study in persons with severe mental disorders (inpatients and day hospital patients of both sexes, aged 18 to 65 years, diagnosis of affective and schizophrenic disorders). Data were collected in 10 clinical recruiting centres in Germany. Assessments were carried out using a self-developed checklist listing all psychosocial interventions of the guideline ‘psychosocial interventions’. Results were analysed descriptively.

Results

Data of 397 patients were analysed (age: 43 ± 13 years, 57 % women). The results indicate that service utilization is associated with strength of recommendation, but interventions with weak recommendations were used more frequently than interventions with strong recommendation. Other regional and individual factors also show an association, but in a complex and inconsistent picture.

Conclusion

In sum, current utilization of psychosocial interventions is not based on the strength of recommendation. However, no other generalizable predictors for receiving or not receiving an intervention could be identified, indicating that reasons for service utilization are complex.