Psychotherapy in a psychiatric hospital

This study was aimed to evaluate the role of psychotherapy in psychiatric in-patient care at the example of the Bezirksklinikum Regensburg (BKR) (Community Clinic in Regensburg, Germany). Based on a sample of 6,719 patients suffering from F2-F6 ICD-10 diagnoses, the data of the psychiatric basic documentation (BADO) from January 1995 until April 1999 was retrospectively analysed regarding type and frequency of psychotherapy, influencing factors on indication, and effects of psychotherapy on treatment success. In 33% of cases, specific psychotherapy was in use. A client-centered therapy was carried out in 20% of patients. Other techniques of psychotherapy such as behaviour therapy, cognitive therapy, IPT for schizophrenics, or psychodynamic psychotherapy were applied to 2-6% of patients. Inpatients with eating disorders, personality disorders, neurotic disorders, somatization disorders, and depression were more likely to receive a specific psychotherapy. A significantly positive effect on treatment success was only documented in affective disorders, whereas a significantly negative influence was found in personality disorders.