Selected issues of the DGPPN Congress in 2011

Excerpt

This issue deals with a wide and multifocal thematic range of interesting scientific contents presented at the DGPPN Congress in November 2011. Starting with the DGPPN research project on mental healthcare utilization in Germany, Gaebel et al. [1] provide insight into increased utilization of psychiatric and psychosomatic disciplines in both in- and outpatient treatment compared to general medical facilities for 1.4 million patients with depression in Germany from 2005 to 2007. Within this group, specialists for psychosomatic medicine and psychological psychotherapists performed care of mild and moderate depression, whereas psychiatrists were assigned to treat the severe cases. Härter et al. [2] describe the newly implemented Hamburg Network for Mental Health as trans-sectoral cooperation including innovative measures to improve treatment for mental disorders, which derive from high-quality research in psychosis, depression, somatoform and functional syndromes, anorexia, bulimia and addiction illnesses. The aspect of stress, burnout and job dissatisfaction in mental health workers is covered by Rössler [3]. Beside well-known stressors such as extensive workload or long night shifts, he identifies stigma of the profession including demanding relationships with patients and difficult interactions with other health professionals, threats from violent patients, suicide plus a lack of positive feedback as specific challenges, possibly leading even to post-traumatic stress symptoms and burnout. …