Implementation and Stakeholders' Experiences with Home Treatment in Germany's Integrative and Flexible Psychiatric Care Models - A Mixed-Methods Study

Objective This paper seeks to illustrate current implementation of and the stakeholders' experiences with Home Treatment (=HT) according to </n>64b of the German Social Code Book V (=SGB V). Methods 381 Patients from 8 hospitals were questioned about their experiences and evaluation of HT using a standardized questionnaire (SEPICC-Scale). Further interviews and focus groups with 37 participants (including users, carers and employees) were thematically analysed. In addition, structural and performance data were collected from participating hospitals and HT teams. Results HT according to </n>64b SGB V is implemented quite heterogeneously, especially between rural and urban catchment areas. It provides a long-term, cross-sectoral care, which seems to strengthen the integration of patients' everyday life, treatment flexibility and continuity of care. After having experienced HT once, it is generally rated better. Conclusion An important strength of HT (</n>64b SGB V) is its adaption to the users' needs and to regional distinctions. Implications for the implementation of outreach services on a larger scale in Germany can be drawn.