Long waiting times and other reasons make it difficult to carry on outpatient psychotherapy after completion of inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation. Therefore instant linking between the both settings was provided by a working group.
Methods: Rate of patients taking part, kind of performed outpatient psychotherapy, working state and its change and therapeutic experiences were assessed.
Results: 43 patients were referred directly from inpatient psychosomatic rehabilitation to outpatient psychotherapy. 79% came to briefings, 63% started treatment, during which the rate of patients able to work increased from 42% to 67%. Especially in the beginning of therapies structure centered techniques were necessary.
Discussion: Results are encouraging, but need to be confirmed by a prospective control group design.