[Day hospital treatment in psychiatry]

Day hospitals provide an organizational framework for complex psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatments. They have been developed regarding treatment and in number, perhaps surprisingly, to fit existing standards in almost all domains of psychiatry. Similarities exist in the emphasis on acute treatment, in the orientation towards social inclusion, and particularly in the ability to connect with previous treatment settings. Day treatment guidelines exist only in basic form. In general the complex outpatient treatment is led by psychiatrists; the treatment is planned and pre-defined regarding time and goal orientation. It is directed exclusively at patients with severe mental health disorders and practiced by a multi-professional team. A structured treatment milieu is likely to be the main ingredient which includes all somatic-biological and many psychotherapeutic methods. Special options that for the most part have been empirically validated are available for the treatment of post-acute patients, prevention of social exclusion from families and work, detoxification of addicts and psychotherapy of personality disorders. The rapid increase of facilities is expected to persist for some time. Scientific evidence is relatively strong. Given proper indication, financial resources are used with a high degree of efficiency.