[Management of mental health and primary care. Development and evaluation of a training program based on the PLISSIT approach].

Deficits in current approaches of psychosomatic and psychiatric education for general practitioners are reviewed. A skill-based training was developed in line with the four step counseling approach of the "PLISSIT" approach: The GP helps in first step ("permission") the patient to accept his problem and assesses informations about causing and maintaining factors of his symptomatology. In the second step he should provide information about the disorder and reverse misunderstanding and passivity (Limited Information). The GP's should develop preliminary strategies for change in the third step ("coping strategies", "symptom management", "special suggestions") and preparate the intensive phase of therapy as the last step. First results of the evaluation of the training program are presented demonstrate the effectiveness and acceptance of the education program.