[Therapeutic capacities of a university child and adolescent clinic with regional responsibilities and associated facilities].

In a clinical population of more than 10,000 children and adolescents the therapies used were analyzed statistically. The sample consisted of all children and adolescents referred to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the University of Marburg or one of its associated facilities between 1983 and 1991. Usage at each facility (inpatient wards, outpatient clinic, day treatment ward, mobile child psychiatric service and child guidance clinic) was analyzed separately. The facilities differed markedly regarding the age and sex distribution of the clients, diagnoses made, types of treatment used and overall duration of treatment. Furthermore, the duration and intensity of different types of treatment (psychotherapy, functional therapies, parent- and family-oriented interventions, other context-oriented interventions, pharmacological treatment) differed substantially at the different facilities. Overall a central component of treatment was work with the parents and other family members; in quantitative terms, drug treatment was of minor importance. With many patients and families a combination of two or more different types of treatment was used; therefore it is very important to integrate the different therapies into a treatment plan tailored to the individual and with consistent goals. The results are discussed in connection with quality assurance.