Day clinic and inpatient psychotherapy of depression (DIP-D): qualitative results from a randomized controlled study

Abstract

ObjectiveDepressive disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders. For severely depressed patients, day clinic and inpatient settings represent important treatment options. However, little is known about patients’ perceptions of the different levels of care. This study aimed to obtain an in-depth analysis of depressive patients’ experiences of day clinic and inpatient treatment in a combined clinical setting.MethodsFollowing a randomized controlled trial comparing day clinic and inpatient psychotherapy for depression (Dinger et al. in Psychother Psychosom 83:194–195, 2014), a sample of depressive patients (n = 35) was invited to participate in a semi-structured interview during an early follow up 4 weeks after discharge. A qualitative analysis of interview transcripts was performed following the principles of constructivist thematic analysis.ResultsFollowing analysis, 1355 single codes were identified from which five main categories and 26 themes were derived for both groups. In regard to patient group integration and skill transfer to everyday life, distinct differences could be observed between the day clinic and inpatient group.ConclusionWhile adjustment to therapeutic setting and patient group integration seem to be facilitated by inpatient treatment, the day clinical setting appears to promote treatment integration into patients’ everyday contexts, aiding treatment-related skill transfer to everyday life as well as alleviating discharge from clinic treatment. Further studies on depressive subject groups in day clinic and inpatient treatment should investigate aspects of group cohesion and treatment integration in relation to therapeutic outcome.

Patient experiences of psychological therapy for depression: a qualitative metasynthesis

“…Similarly, two studies both involving group face-toface therapy [25,53] found that people could find themselves feeling more alone after therapy had ended.…”

“…The possibility of being able to spend all day in the unit and the regular daily routine was seen as particularly positive and was reported to facilitate personal activity [53].…”

What claims are made about clients and therapists’ experiences of psychotherapy environments in empirical research? A systematic mixed‐studies review and narrative synthesis

“…These included thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) from a constructivist perspective (Nikendei et al, 2016) and grounded theory (Minton, Olenik, & Priest, 2008;Price & Paley, 2008).…”

“…Clients may read similarities between themselves and their therapists, visually, through responses to aspects of the therapy room (Fenner, 2011). This may involve a search for shared (Fenner, 2012) perspectives, such as spiritual values through the use of certain colours and objects in the room, or different values, such as untidiness of the therapy room (Fenner, 2012 (Nikendei et al, 2016). The researchers in their Germany-based study reported on the qualitative thematic analysis findings from 34 severely depressed clients and participants four weeks after discharge.…”

Stationäre Psychotherapie der Depression: Kliniken, Leitlinien, Methoden und Herausforderungen

“…Zusätzlich können auch Musiktherapie (11), Lichttherapie und diätetische Maßnahmen sinnvoll sein (15). Wie bereits angedeutet, stellt der Übergang von der stationären Psychotherapie in die weitere Behandlung und den Alltag des Patienten eine besondere Herausforderung dar (16), die eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit ambulanten und tagesklinischen Therapeuten, Ärzten und Sozialarbeitern, Einrichtungen der beruflichen Rehabilitation und dem beruflichen, sozialen und familiären Umfeld der Patienten erfordert.…”