[Success of referral in a psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic outpatient unit of a dental school]

Schwichtenberg J, Doering S

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The success of referral for psychotherapy and the predictors thereof are investigated in dentistry in an outpatient unit for psychosomatics. METHODS: 238 patients were asked in a telephone interview concerning their satisfaction with the consultation as well as any change in their complaints and treatments after their contact with the outpatient unit. RESULTS: 82.3 % of the patients were satisfied with the consultation, and 55.9 % reported an improvement in their complaints. In 76.1 % of the patients psychotherapy was indicated, and 56.7 % showed motivation and were referred to psychotherapy. Thereof, 66.7 % actually began treatment. Introspective capacity and motivation for psychotherapy predicted successful referral. Patients suffering from somatoform disorders were significantly less motivated to begin psychotherapy and showed a tendency toward premature termination of psychotherapy. In patients with anxiety disorders, the reverse was the case. Patients who did not begin psychotherapy changed their dentist significantly more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: The consultation at the outpatient unit can be regarded as successful insofar as four-fifths of the patients were satisfied and two-thirds of those referred actually began psychotherapy, which in turn significantly reduces "dentist shopping."