[Treatment in Adolescent Psychiatry: Results of a Germany-wide Survey]

The aim of the study was to examine adolescence-specific treatment models throughout Germany, to describe the implementation process of transition psychiatric care and to identify relevant health care problem areas for adolescents with mental disorders.

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey (N = 26) of hospital-based adolescent psychiatric treatment models was conducted. Service structures, treatment groups and interventions were investigated by the 28-item questionnaire.

There is an increase in adolescence-specific hospital-based services in Germany. These are characterized by multi-professional team work in diagnosis and adolescence-specific therapy approaches. Most of the treatment available is for young adults only (>18 years). Some of the services are organized in interdisciplinary cooperation models. Structural deficits in acute and crisis treatment, cross-sectoral cooperation and systematic transition are reported. Conclusions There is growing interest throughout Germany in the development of adolescent psychiatric treatment. Close interdisciplinary cooperation between child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry is necessary to overcome interface problems with the aim of a successful transition, but has not yet been implemented. Structural problems should be reduced in order to facilitate further development in transition psychiatry.