Experiences of a Working Group About Linking Inpatient Psychosomatic Rehabilitation and Outpatient Psychotherapy

Long waiting times and other reasons make it difficult to carry on outpatient psychotherapy after completion of inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation. Therefore instant linking between the both settings was provided by a working group. METHODS Rate of patients taking part, kind of performed outpatient psychotherapy, working state and its change and therapeutic experiences were assessed. RESULTS 43 patients were refered directly from inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation to outpatient psychotherapy. 79 % came to briefings, 63 % started treatment, during which the rate of patients able to work increased from 42 % to 67 %. Especially in the beginning of therapies structure centered techniques were necessary. DISCUSSION Results are encouriging, but need to be confirmed by a prospective control group design.