[Effectiveness of Telephone and Face-to-Face Aftercare Conversations following Inpatient Psychosomatic...

The effectiveness of 2 aftercare treatments was examined with regard to patients' implementation of health-enhancing recommendations and changes in psychological distress, as well as mental and physical health.

Psychosomatic patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (aftercare over the telephone or face-to-face) or to a control group without aftercare (n=62) at the end of their treatment. Patients in the intervention group (n=139) were offered up to 4 aftercare conversations during the 3 months after their rehabilitation. Data were collected at admission (t1), at discharge (t2) as well as 3 (t3) and 9 (t4) months after discharge. Patients were asked whether they implemented health-enhancing recommendations, recorded in the discharge report, at t3 and t4. Psychological distress (SCL-90-R) was measured at t1, t2, t3 and t4, mental and physical health (SF-12) at t2, t3 and t4.

In the intervention group, more participants implemented the recommendations made at discharge such as sports and exercises or outpatient psychotherapy as compared to the control group. Likewise, participants of the intervention group maintained better their physical health. Aftercare over the telephone and face-to-face did not differ in their effectiveness; however, less time was required for aftercare conversations over the telephone.

Aftercare over the telephone seems to be an economical approach to support patients in implementing healthcare recommendations made at discharge after inpatient rehabilitation.