Very long waiting times for psychotherapy

Low supply in rural areas for psychotherapy

15/02/2011

According to a study commissioned by the German Psychotherapists Association (DptV), the provision of outpatient treatment is still insufficient, especially for older patients, for people in rural areas and for men. The current study data of the University of Duisburg indicate an acute undersupply of psychotherapy in some regions of Germany.

Low supply in rural areas
In numerous rural regions of Germany there is a sub-offer for outpatient psychotherapies. On behalf of the German Psychotherapists Association (DptV), the Chair of Medical Management of the University of Duisburg-Essen undertook a survey study. A total of 2,500 outpatient psychotherapists were interviewed to care for patients. It turned out that about 52 percent of all interviewed therapists keep a long waiting list. In rural and small towns, the average waiting time is more than one hundred days (104). in big cities and conurbations about 62 days.

„The supply situation with outpatient psychotherapy in less densely populated regions is inadequate than in large cities“, In view of the study results, Prof. Jürgen Wasem stated. Compared to epidemiological data collected, it is apparent that men, senior citizens and lower-income people in particular are under-supplied psychotherapeutically. „On the basis of these results, an evaluation of existing inhibitions and measures to overcome them is recommended“, underscores Professor Wasem.

No big differences in patient groups
Most frequently, the 41- to 50-year-olds took a therapy offer. In the patient structure, men accounted for 29 percent and women 27 percent. Older patients between the ages of 60 and 90 represent a significant minority. Here, the proportion was only zero to a maximum of five percent. Most clients had 32 percent of a secondary school diploma. Twenty-six percent of patients completed a university entrance qualification and 20 percent completed a secondary school leaving certificate. About 19 percent are academics.

Almost three months waiting for a therapy place
The waiting time for a therapy place amounts nationally on average 2.5 months. In some regions, however, the waiting time is significantly higher. Only about five percent of established therapists can give an appointment immediately upon request. However, only 3 weeks are acceptable, as Dieter Best, national chairman of the association said. If there is a mental illness with acute symptoms, however, must be treated immediately.

52 percent were transferred by doctors
More than half of the patients were previously with a family doctor who issued a referral to a psychotherapist (52 percent). The vast majority of patients go to the therapist at their own request and with their own motivation or make use of a therapy offer on the advice of relatives and friends. Therefore, psychotherapists should also be allowed to issue hospital admissions in the event of a crisis or sick leave, as the association demanded in a statement. In addition, needs planning should be changed so that structurally weak or rural regions are not underserved.

For the treatment of chronically ill, for example, suffer from a manifested depression or psychosis, longer-term therapeutic methods are needed because often a complete recovery is not expected. Early detection plays an important role here, since mental disorders are often recognized too late. Therefore, early detection should be e.g. For children also in perspective belong to the scope of a psychotherapist. (Sb)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann