Mental health services research in Germany

Little is known about the recent German-speaking mental health services research (HSR) and the health economics research. All empirical studies of the Zeitschrift fur Psychosomatische Medizin and Psychiatrische Praxis of the years 2006 and 2007 were analysed regarding contribution to mental HSR and health economics research. Half of the studies aimed at topics of mental HSR research. 85% of those were focused on description and analysis of the health services situation and the evaluation of health services concepts. Three-fourths of the studies examined questions of needs, utilization and effects of health service use. Five (10%) studies were health economics evaluations, particularly cost studies. There is still a substantial interest in mental HSR, but a lack of studies developing and implementing novel health services concepts.