[Evaluating the reform of the psychotherapy guideline using a mixed-methods approach: a study protocol]

In Germany, psychotherapy in outpatient statutory health care is regulated by the Psychotherapy Guideline (PT-GL). A discussion on waiting times and inadequate care for patients resulted in a structural reform of the PT-GL in 2017. The reform aims to improve access to psychotherapy and the entire course of care and treatment. The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the new elements and identification of obstacles and barriers in their implementation.

Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to evaluate the reform of the PT-GL. In a retrospective cohort-based analysis of anonymized administrative claim data from the statutory health insurances BARMER and AOK, the health care situation before and after the reform were compared. In addition, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey evaluated the implementation of the new care elements from the perspective of psychotherapists, general practitioners and patients. The questionnaires were developed based on focus groups with stakeholders and a literature search. The survey results provided the data basis for the cross-sectional analysis together with the routine data on the care situation after the reform of the PT-GL as well as aggregated, anonymized data from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians on statutory health insurance care and on the use of the appointment service centers.

By combining quantitative and qualitative data, the effects of the structural reform of the PT-GL of 2016 can be analyzed at the individual and structural level as well as in relation to the entire care and treatment process. Based on this, proposals for a needs-oriented further development of the PT-GL will be prepared, considering the perspectives of various interest groups.