[Inpatient equivalent home-treatment: an overview]

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Psychiatric Care Models
• Health Services Management

Background:

• Inpatient equivalent home-treatment (IEHT) was introduced in Germany in 2018.
• IEHT serves as an alternative to acute inpatient psychiatric care.
• It aims to avoid or shorten hospital stays for individuals with mental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and potential of IEHT in Germany.
• To highlight the benefits and challenges associated with IEHT.
• To identify the need for further evidence generation on IEHT effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews the concept and implementation of IEHT in Germany.
• It discusses exclusion criteria and administrative requirements.
• It references ongoing studies, such as the AktiV study, for evidence gathering.

Main Results:

• IEHT facilitates normalization and stigma reduction for mental health patients.
• Significant administrative requirements pose a challenge to IEHT implementation.
• Evidence for the IEHT concept is still developing, with ongoing research.

Conclusions:

• IEHT is a valuable component of mental health services, offering an alternative to traditional inpatient care.
• Further development and research are crucial to optimize IEHT and solidify its evidence base.
• Addressing administrative hurdles is key to the successful integration and expansion of IEHT.