Germany-Wide Survey on Networking and Cooperation Between Rehabilitation and Self-Help (VERS 2.0): An Overview of Opinions, Contacts and Cooperation of Rehabilitation Institutions in View of Self-Help

Purpose The study aims to present opinions and knowledge of rehabilitation facilities in Germany about self-help (SH) and to identify initial structures and contacts in the networking of rehabilitation and SH. Methods The study is a quantitative observational study. The data were collected cross-sectionally by means of an online survey. Rehabilitation facilities in Germany were included. The convenience sample was collected using different approaches. The questionnaire is based on the survey on "Cooperation and networking of rehabilitation facilities and self-help groups/self-help organisations" (VERS) conducted by the University of Freiburg in 2002. Results 101 rehabilitation facilities across all 16 German federal states took part in the survey. The survey revealed a positive attitude towards SH and a high proportion of rehabilitation facilities that regularly inform about SH (76.2%) and maintain contacts with self-help associations/self-help clearing houses (74.3%). Information deficits regarding the specific experiences of self-help associations, the working and organisational forms of SH as well as the support opportunities of SH became apparent. Conclusion To strengthen the networking of rehabilitation and SH, information gaps should be closed and transparency and structural conditions for cooperation should be created. The stronger integration of knowledge about SH in educational structures in the health sector, which is desired by the institutions, can be purposeful in the future.