Psychosomatic liaison service in medicine - need for psychotherapeutic interventions and their realisation

The aim of the study was to evaluate the need for psychotherapeutic interventions and their realisation within the framework of the psychosomatic liaison service. Apart from establishing the diagnosis of psychosocial distress and mental disorders, we assessed the motivation of the patients for psychotherapy.

62 consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology) Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany, underwent standardised psychodiagnostic interviews and completed psychometric self-rating tests to identify mental disorders, psychosocial distress, and motivation for psychotherapy. In addition, the patients' need for psychotherapeutic treatment was rated by the liaison therapist.

Using ICD 10-criteria, mental disorders were diagnosed in two thirds of the patients; most frequent were adjustment disorders, affective disorders, and disorders resulting from alcohol use. One third of the patients reported signs of psychological distress; half of them were interested in psychotherapy. A need for psychotherapeutic interventions, based on motivation of the patients and on expert estimate, was found in approximately one third of the patients. 36% received actual psychotherapy.

Our study suggests that - in the patient population studied - the patients' motivation ought to be taken into consideration more strongly when evaluating the need for psychotherapy in clinical practice and further research.