Systemic therapy soon an element of standard care? - After the positive IQWiG assessment, the G-BA decision will be delayed
About the author
Prof. Matthias P. Schönermark, M.D., Ph.D.
Founder and Managing Director
Founder and Managing Director
Fon: +49 511 64 68 14 – 0
Fax: +49 511 64 68 14 18
Fax: +49 511 64 68 14 18
After Systemic Therapy was validated as an evidence-based, scientific therapy procedure by the Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy (WBP) at the end of 2008, the G-BA initiated the methodological evaluation of Systemic Therapy as a psychotherapeutic procedure in April 2013. By means of a G-BA plenum decision, the IQWiG was assigned with the benefit assessment of a psychotherapeutic procedure for the first time. All areas of application of the Psychotherapy Directive, including affective disorders, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform disorders, reactions to severe stress and adjustment disorders, eating disorders, behavioral and personality disorders as well as mental and behavioral disorders due to psychotropic substances or opioids, were subsequently assessed.
Two aspects of the evaluation which were positively highlighted by the Federal Association of Contract Psychotherapists (bvvp) are the assessment based on four gradations (proof, indication, hint and no hint) and the inclusion of patient benefits (consideration of patient-relevant endpoints such as improving the quality of life). In sum, the IQWiG has stated "an indication of benefit" compared to no treatment for patients with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia through systemic therapy; furthermore, the institute recommends the use of the method in seven indications.
In the systemic therapy, the social and family context of patients with mental illness are increasingly included, which measurably increases the effectiveness of the method. Moreover, the integration of important (therapeutic) participants (such as physicians, psychotherapists, the social service or the judiciary) in the therapeutic process can help to overcome system boundaries. Based on the assumption that every patient is an autonomous and competent person, the three cornerstones of systemic therapy are empowerment, resource activation and solution orientation. To summarize, the Systemic Therapy approach is considered as a procedure with positive long-term effects and low system costs.
It’s not yet clear when the G-BA will decide upon the addition of Systemic Therapy as part of standard care. However, SKC as a strategic consultancy specialized in the health care sector already uses systemic techniques in consulting and coaching approaches. Under the guidance of the systemic therapist and managing partner Prof. Dr. Matthias P. Schönermark and in close collaboration with its clients, SKC develops individual solutions from a holistic perspective.
BY Prof. Matthias P. Schönermark, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Managing Director of SKC Beratungsgesellschaft mbH and Beate Kasper, M.A. sociology, SKC Beratungsgesellschaft mbH
Sources:
Ärztezeitung: Systemische Therapie hängt fest beim GBA (German only)
Ärztezeitung: Therapeuten erfreut über IQWiG-Studie (German only)
G-BA: Systemische Therapie (German only)
DGSF: Essentials Systemischer Therapie (German only)