Objectives: Previous studies have shown that psychosomatic rehabilitation treatments were less successful for patients with a migration background. These findings should be explored further with the help of interviews. The main aim of this study was to compare patients with and without a migration background with regards to social-demographic variables, disease model, symptoms, and the course and result of a psychosomatic rehabilitation treatment.
Methods: 75 patients with and 75 without a migration background were analysed. Half-structured interviews were carried out at admission, discharge and three months after discharge from treatment.
Results: Patients with a migration background were "sicker" at the beginning of the rehabilitation. Especially men with a migration background benefit less from the treatment and often did not feel "at the right place" in the psychosomatic rehabilitation. Patients with a migration background have a more negative view of their work performance than patients without a migration background.
Discussion: Patient with a migration background should receive more information about psychosomatic disease models and different treatment methods prior to their rehabilitation therapy.