M C Shedden-Mora1, B Gross2, K Lau3, A Gumz2, K Wegscheider4, B Löwe2. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and Schön Clinic Hamburg-Eilbek, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: m.shedden-mora@uke.de. 2. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and Schön Clinic Hamburg-Eilbek, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. 3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and Schön Clinic Hamburg-Eilbek, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Straße 48, 17475 Greifswald, Germany. 4. Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The successful management of somatoform disorders in primary care is often limited due to low diagnostic accuracy, delayed referral to psychotherapy, and unstructured overuse of health care. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of establishing a collaborative stepped health care network for somatoform disorders, and its impact on the diagnostic process and treatment recommendations in primary care. METHOD: The Network for Somatoform and Functional Disorders (Sofu-Net) was established to connect 41 primary care physicians (PCP), 35 psychotherapists, and 8 mental health clinics. To evaluate Sofu-Net, primary care patients at high risk of having a somatoform disorder were identified using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and were assessed in detail at the patient and PCP level. Discussion of psychosocial distress in the consultations, diagnostic detection rates and treatment recommendations were compared before and 12 months after establishing the network. RESULTS: Out of the pre- (n=1645) and 12-months-post Sofu-Net patient samples (n=1756), 267 (16.2%) and 269 (15.3%) high-risk patients were identified. From these, 156 and 123 patients were interviewed and information was assessed from their PCP. Twelve months after Sofu-Net establishment, high-risk patients more frequently discussed psychosocial distress with their PCP (63.3% vs. 79.2%, p<.001). PCPs prescribed more antidepressants (3.8% vs. 25.2%, p<.001) and less benzodiazepines (21.8% vs. 6.5%, p<.001). Sofu-Net did not affect PCP's diagnostic detection rates or recommendation to initiate psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate feasibility of an interdisciplinary network for somatoform disorders. Collaborative care networks for somatoform disorders have the potential to improve doctor-patient-communication and prescription behavior.
OBJECTIVE: The successful management of somatoform disorders in primary care is often limited due to low diagnostic accuracy, delayed referral to psychotherapy, and unstructured overuse of health care. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of establishing a collaborative stepped health care network for somatoform disorders, and its impact on the diagnostic process and treatment recommendations in primary care. METHOD: The Network for Somatoform and Functional Disorders (Sofu-Net) was established to connect 41 primary care physicians (PCP), 35 psychotherapists, and 8 mental health clinics. To evaluate Sofu-Net, primary care patients at high risk of having a somatoform disorder were identified using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and were assessed in detail at the patient and PCP level. Discussion of psychosocial distress in the consultations, diagnostic detection rates and treatment recommendations were compared before and 12 months after establishing the network. RESULTS: Out of the pre- (n=1645) and 12-months-post Sofu-Net patient samples (n=1756), 267 (16.2%) and 269 (15.3%) high-risk patients were identified. From these, 156 and 123 patients were interviewed and information was assessed from their PCP. Twelve months after Sofu-Net establishment, high-risk patients more frequently discussed psychosocial distress with their PCP (63.3% vs. 79.2%, p<.001). PCPs prescribed more antidepressants (3.8% vs. 25.2%, p<.001) and less benzodiazepines (21.8% vs. 6.5%, p<.001). Sofu-Net did not affect PCP's diagnostic detection rates or recommendation to initiate psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate feasibility of an interdisciplinary network for somatoform disorders. Collaborative care networks for somatoform disorders have the potential to improve doctor-patient-communication and prescription behavior.
Authors: Christina Heinbokel; Marco Lehmann; Nadine Janis Pohontsch; Thomas Zimmermann; Astrid Althaus; Martin Scherer; Bernd Löwe Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-08-11 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Daniela Heddaeus; Jörg Dirmaier; Christian Brettschneider; Anne Daubmann; Thomas Grochtdreis; Olaf von dem Knesebeck; Hans-Helmut König; Bernd Löwe; Kerstin Maehder; Sarah Porzelt; Moritz Rosenkranz; Ingo Schäfer; Martin Scherer; Bernd Schulte; Karl Wegscheider; Angelika Weigel; Silke Werner; Thomas Zimmermann; Martin Härter Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-11-24 Impact factor: 2.692