An online program with individualized vs automated support for significant others of depressed individuals - study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Due to budget restrictions in mental health care, non-professional caregivers are increasingly burdened with the emotional and practical care for their depressed relatives. However, informal family caregiving is mostly a stressful role with negative consequences on the physical and mental health of the caretakers to the extent that they have an elevated risk of experiencing psychiatric disorders themselves. While psychoeducation for relatives of depressed individuals showed positive results both in terms of the caretakers' strain and the depressive symptoms of the affected person, there are major barriers to participate in presence in those programs.

Limit on the Fierz Interference Term b from a Measurement of the Beta Asymmetry in Neutron Decay.

In the standard model of particle physics, the weak interaction is described by vector and axial-vector couplings only. Nonzero scalar or tensor interactions would imply an additional contribution to the differential decay rate of the neutron, the Fierz interference term. We derive a limit on this hypothetical term from a measurement using spin-polarized neutrons.

Measurement of the Weak Axial-Vector Coupling Constant in the Decay of Free Neutrons Using a Pulsed Cold Neutron Beam.

We present a precision measurement of the axial-vector coupling constant g_{A} in the decay of polarized free neutrons. For the first time, a pulsed cold neutron beam was used for this purpose. By this method, leading sources of systematic uncertainty are suppressed.

[Hyperkinetic disorders in children and adolescents in Germany: administrative prevalence and regional differences regarding the frequency of diagnosis assignment].

Objective: To analyse the administrative prevalence and regional differences in hyperkinetic disorder (HK) diagnoses in Germany.

Methods: The administrative prevalence of HK (ICD-10 F90) was analysed for 3,6 million children, up to 18 years old and in the whole year 2009 insured by the AOK, using health insurance data. Additionally, administrative prevalence changes between 2006 and 2008 were investigated.

[How does the Regional Psychiatry Budget (RPB) work in an area with initially low capacity of psychiatric hospital beds?].

Objective: To analyze the impact of a capitated multi-sector-financing model for psychiatric care (RPB) in the model region Rendsburg-Eckernförde on costs and effectiveness of care.

Methods: In a prospective controlled cohort study 244 patients with a diagnosis according to ICD-10: F10, F2 or F3 were interviewed in the model region (MR) and compared to 244 patients from a control region (CR) financed according to the fee-for-service principle. At baseline, 1.

[Future medical specialists' objectives of further education and their decision to establish a practice. A gender-specific analysis].

This study investigated future medical specialists' objectives of further qualification, their intention, and their decision to establish a practice. Data of 5,053 young physicians, obtained from five German Federal Chambers of Physicians, were analyzed. Data included sociodemographic variables, intended area of specialization, intention, and aspects relevant to the establishment of a practice.

[Factors influencing the decision of future psychiatrists to practice establishment. Results from a survey of young physicians in Germany].

Objective: Office based psychiatrists are playing a decisive role regarding the provision and coordination of community based, continuous mental health care. Although the estimated need for office based psychiatrists and neurologists is covered to 125 % in Germany, a physician shortage is emerging in some regions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate factors influencing the decision of future psychiatrists to a practice establishment.

[Factors influencing the decision to establish a primary care practice: results from a postal survey of young physicians in Germany].

Aim Of The Study: Although the estimated need for primary health care is covered to 108% in Germany, a primary care physician shortage is emerging in some regions. Moreover, the number of young physicians completing a specialist medical training for general medicine is decreasing. Therefore the present study aimed to investigate factors influencing young physicians to aspire to such a specialist training as well as aspects considered as important for practice establishment by these physicians.

Accuracy of self-reports of mental health care utilization and calculated costs compared to hospital records.

Assessments of service utilization is often based on self-reports. Concerns regarding the accuracy of self-reports are raised especially in mental health care. The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy of self-reports and calculated costs of mental health services.

Development of a set of schizophrenia quality indicators for integrated care.

Aim: We aimed at developing a prioritized set of quality indicators for schizophrenia care to be used for continuous quality monitoring. They should be evidence-based and rely on routine data.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify papers on validated quality indicators published between 1990 to April 2008 in MEDLINE, the Cochrane databases, EMBASE and PsycINFO.

Validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D in assessing and valuing health status in patients with anxiety disorders.

Background: The EQ-5D is a generic questionnaire which generates a health profile as well as index scores for health-related quality of life that may be used in cost-utility analysis.

Aims Of The Study: To examine validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D in patients with anxiety disorders.

Methods: 389 patients with anxiety disorders completed the EQ-5D at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

[The regional psychiatry budget (RPB): a model for a new payment system of hospital based mental health care services].

Objective: To analyze the impact of a capitated multi-sector-financing model for psychiatric care (RPB) on costs and effectiveness of care.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis according to ICD-10 F10, F2 or F3 were interviewed in the model region (MR, n = 258) and a control region (CR, n = 244) financed according to the fee-for-service principle. At baseline, 1.

Cost-effectiveness of a primary care model for anxiety disorders.

Background: Individuals with anxiety disorders often do not receive an accurate diagnosis or adequate treatment in primary care.

Aims: To analyse the cost-effectiveness of an optimised care model for people with anxiety disorders in primary care.

Method: In a cluster randomised controlled trial, 46 primary care practices with 389 individuals positively screened with anxiety were randomised to intervention (23 practices, 201 participants) or usual care (23 practices, 188 participants).

Utility assessment in patients with mental disorders: validity and discriminative ability of the time trade-off method.

Background: Preference-based health-state values, also referred to as utility scores, are considered an important measure of outcome in the evaluation of healthcare. A common approach to elicit utility scores is the use of the time trade-off (TTO) method; however, the data on TTO utility scores in patients with mental disorders are scarce.

Objective: To analyse the TTO method in patients with mental disorders in terms of discriminative ability, validity and the refusal to trade life time (zero trade).

The relation between body mass index, mental health, and functional disability: a European population perspective.

Objective: To examine the association between body mass, mental disorders, and functional disability in the general population of 6 European countries.

Method: Data (n = 21 425) were derived from the European Study on the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD). The third version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to assess mental disorders (mood, anxiety, and alcohol disorders) according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2), based on self-reported height and weight), and functional disability in the previous 30 days, assessed with the World Health Organization Disablement Assessment Scale-second version.

[The regional psychiatry budget: costs and effects of a new multisector financing model for psychiatric care].

Objective: To evaluate a new multi-sector financing model for psychiatric care based on the capitation principle (Regional Psychiatry Budget, RPB).

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis according to ICD-10 F10, F2, and F3 were interviewed in the model region (MR, N=258) and a control region (CR, N=244) financed according to the fee-for-service principle. Effectiveness of care was assessed before RPB-introduction and after 1.

[Health habits of patients with schizophrenia: a general pattern?].

Objective: Schizophrenia patients have in many aspects an unhealthier lifestyle than the general population. The aim of this study is to determine if disadvantageous health habits of schizophrenia patients present a general pattern that repeats itself in other regions and if psychosocial consequences of schizophrenia (singleness, unemployment) influence patients' health habits.

Methods: 95 schizophrenia outpatients from Germany and 97 from Austria were examined regarding eating-, drinking-, smoking- and physical-activity habits.

Responsiveness of EQ-5D utility indices in alcohol-dependent patients.

Introduction: The EQ-5D provides community-based preference weights (utilities) for calculating quality adjusted life years (QALYs) in cost-utility analysis. This study aimed to analyze the responsiveness of EQ-5D-based utilities in patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods: In an observational longitudinal cohort study of alcohol-dependent patients (N=52), three different EQ-5D-based utilities (EQ-Index United Kingdom, United States, and Germany) were calculated and compared with the scores of the WHOQOL-BREF (mental domain), HoNOS (total score), and GAF at baseline and at 18 months.

The responsiveness of EQ-5D utility scores in patients with depression: A comparison with instruments measuring quality of life, psychopathology and social functioning.

Introduction: The EQ-5D provides preference weights (utilities) for health-related quality of life to be used for calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in cost-utility analysis. The aim of this study was to compare differences in EQ-5D utility scores with differences in quality of life, psychopathology, and social functioning scores.

Methods: In an observational longitudinal cohort study, EQ-5D utilities (EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), EQ-5D indices of the United Kingdom (EQ-5D index-UK) and Germany (EQ-5D index-D)) were compared with scores of the WHOQOL-BREF, CGI, and GAF at baseline and at 18 months (N=104).

[Is quality of life in dementia patients validly estimable?].

Objective: The measurement of quality of life (QoL) in dementia is a methodological challenge because of the patients' cognitive impairment and anosognosia. This review gives an overview of the possibilities and methodological problems of QoL measurement in dementia patients.

Methods: With literature searches conducted in PubMed and Web of Science 12 dementia-specific QoL-measures were identified.

Burden on caregivers of people with schizophrenia: comparison between Germany and Britain.

Background: Burden on the relatives of patients with schizophrenia may be influenced not only by patient and caregiver characteristics, but also by differences in mental health service provision.

Aims: To analyse whether family burden is affected by national differences in the provision of mental health services.

Method: Patients with schizophrenia and their key relatives were examined in Germany (n=333) and Britain (n=170).

Health habits of patients with schizophrenia.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the physical activity, dietary, drinking, and smoking habits of schizophrenia patients (SP).

Methods: Data from 194 schizophrenia outpatients collected using sections of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey were compared with data from the German general population (GP). In addition to univariate data analyses, a multivariate regression analysis was performed.