[Evaluation of the German Version of the "INTERMED-Self-Assessment"-Questionnaire (IM-SA) to Assess Case Complexity]

The INTERMED- interview (IM-CAG=INTERMED complexity assessment grid) is a well validated instrument for the identification of complex patients in need of integrated health care (score ≥21). The IM-SA (INTERMED self-assessment)-questionnaire, derived from the INTERMED- interview, was developed in cooperation with the international INTERMED group in order to facilitate its use in various clinical settings and to foster the patients' perspective on health-care needs.

The German version of the IM-SA was evaluated in a clinical sample (n=136) of psychosomatic outpatients and compared to the IM-CAG. Construct validity was examined by analyzing the correlations of the IM-SA with quality-of-life (SF-36) and anxiety/depression (HADS). Sensitivity and specificity for the identification of complex patients were examined by using ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis.

The correlations between the total score and the subscales of the IM-SA, compared to the INTERMED, were high (total score r=0.79 (95%-KI: [0.70; 0.85]). Cronbach's α was 0.77, and construct validity was high (SF-36 mental component score: r=-0.57; HADS Depression: r=0.59). The IM-SA total score was significantly lower compared to IM-CAG, mainly because of low IM-SA scores in the somatic domain. According to ROC analysis, the IM-SA-cut-off for identifying complex patients has to be lowered (score ≥17).

The IM-SA can be used as an instrument to identify complex patients in need of integrated bio-psycho-social care.

The IM-SA is a reliable instrument to be used in various clinical settings to identify complex patients and to provide integrated, bio-psycho-social care.