Almut Zeeck1, Armin Hartmann, Klaus Kuhn. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg, Germany. zeeck@psysom.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In a prospective, naturalistic 1.5 year follow-up study of N= 114 consecutively admitted day clinic patients efficacy of the program and predictors of outcome are evaluated. METHODS: Patients had severe neurotic disturbances and personality disorders. Interviews and questionnaires (SCL-90-R, EDI) were used for evaluation at admission, discharge and follow-up. RESULTS: From 79.8% of the patients information could be obtained. In the main diagnostic categories between 30 to 50% of the patients showed complete remissions at follow-up. Patients at least kept improvements at follow-up. The rating of the "transition phase" after discharge was predictive for outcome. The group of patients that rated this phase as difficult showed higher levels of psychopathology at admission. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to treat severely disturbed patients in a psychotherapeutic day clinic with good and lasting effects. A more disturbed group of patients needs special help to cope with the transition into the outpatient situation.
OBJECTIVE: In a prospective, naturalistic 1.5 year follow-up study of N= 114 consecutively admitted day clinic patients efficacy of the program and predictors of outcome are evaluated. METHODS:Patients had severe neurotic disturbances and personality disorders. Interviews and questionnaires (SCL-90-R, EDI) were used for evaluation at admission, discharge and follow-up. RESULTS: From 79.8% of the patients information could be obtained. In the main diagnostic categories between 30 to 50% of the patients showed complete remissions at follow-up. Patients at least kept improvements at follow-up. The rating of the "transition phase" after discharge was predictive for outcome. The group of patients that rated this phase as difficult showed higher levels of psychopathology at admission. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to treat severely disturbed patients in a psychotherapeutic day clinic with good and lasting effects. A more disturbed group of patients needs special help to cope with the transition into the outpatient situation.
Authors: Almut Zeeck; Thomas Herzog; Klaus Kuhn; Armin Hartmann; Carl Scheidt; Michael Wirsching Journal: Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol Date: 2002-12