[Assessment and Use of 2016 Reformed Psychotherapeutic Guideline - Part II: Comparing Eastern and Western Germany as well as Urban and Rural Areas].

OBJECTIVE: This article investigated whether or not the reformed psychotherapeutic guideline had different effects on outpatient psychotherapeutic work and services comparing urban and rural areas as well as eastern and western Germany.
METHODS: An online survey of psychotherapists was conducted. The survey included questions on various innovations within the reformed guideline.
RESULTS: Regardless of region, therapists stated overall that the reform has not led to improved psychotherapeutic care.Therapists in the West and in urban areas referred more patients to other psychotherapeutic practices after their consultation. Therapists in the East and in rural areas referred more patients to other institutions and services.
CONCLUSIONS: Psychotherapeutic work in rural areas should be better incentivized. Interventions to reduce east-west inequalities in the density of service provision seem to be necessary. Thieme. All rights reserved.