DPtV advocates quality criteria

15.08.2023 14:38

“Psychotherapeutic video treatments must be individually tailored to the needs of the patient. It must be possible to switch between face-to-face appointments and video contacts at any time, depending on the indication,” says Gebhard Hentschel, Federal Chairman of the German Psychotherapists Association (DPtV). In a statement on the draft bill for a law to accelerate the digitalization of the healthcare system (Digital Law/DigiG), the association speaks out against a complete release of video consultation hours.

“In many cases, face-to-face contact is a necessary prerequisite for patient-safe, outpatient psychotherapy. We therefore demand that a supply of care provided by contract psychotherapists close to home is ensured. Opening up psychotherapeutic care to video treatment must be accompanied by quality criteria. This includes diagnostics, indications and treatment planning and, if necessary, emergency treatment in person, as well as the possibility of carrying out regular psychotherapy in face-to-face contact, according to the individual indication.

Psychotherapists available as a central contact point in person

“Experiences so far with psychotherapeutic video sessions show that they can be a helpful and useful addition. Depending on the situation, psychotherapists can use video sessions - but remain available as a central contact point close to home and in person. Not all psychotherapeutic techniques can be implemented equally well via video. The diagnostic assessment is also viewed as significantly more reliable in face-to-face contacts,” emphasizes Hentschel. Under no circumstances should a situation arise where patients in underserved areas only receive “virtual care”. “The AOK also shares this fear,” adds Hentschel.

BAS: Pure video providers violate the principles of patient-safe and high-quality care

The DPtV is therefore critical of pure video therapy providers: “With programs such as 'Minddoc', the initial consultation takes place in person. “We then continue with another psychotherapist who we have never seen face-to-face,” criticizes Dr. Enno Maaß, deputy DPtV federal chairman. The Federal Office for Social Security (BAS) is also bothered by such constructs of fragmented treatment and refers to professional and contract doctor law. “Among other things, these stipulate that psychotherapists must be able to intervene in person at any time in acute crises. This is not possible with purely remote treatment.”

• DPtV statement on the Digital Act/DigiG: https://t1p.de/a762l
• DPtV survey “Psychotherapeutic video treatments” (May 2020): www.dptv.de/umfrage-videosessions