Analyzing Access to Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Care Institutes in Germany Based on Driving Time.

Masanneck L; Repple J; Meuth SG; Holtmann M; Föcker M; Pawlitzki M

Abstract

Objective: While structured treatment programs for children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders exist, their geographic distribution remains unclear. Specialized addiction treatment facilities for young patients are particularly scarce in Germany. This study examines access to child and adolescent psychiatric care using a driving time-based isochrone analysis to identify regional disparities. Methods: We mapped outpatient clinics, inpatient departments, day clinics as well as specialized addiction centers and calculated the isochrones for 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes of driving time. We then aggregated the resulting geometric areas and applied them to the Global Human Settlement Population Grid 2025 to estimate the number of German inhabitants with access to these centers within the specified time frames. Results: While 98 % of Germans can reach a psychiatric care unit within 1 hour, the coverage is lower for specialized addiction clinics (60.5%). Within 120 minutes, more than 95 % of Germans can reach a center of any network. In addition to the generally underserved rural areas, such as those in northeastern Germany, specialized addiction clinics are underrepresented across all regions. Conclusion: Germany's adolescent psychiatric care is relatively strong, though some regions still face limited access and pose challenges to patients, especially regarding acute crisis interventions, where long travel times delay urgent care.