From home treatment to psychiatric ward-equivalent treatment (SUB) - A systematic review of outpatient treatment in Germany

Objective: In the past, home treatment was not available in Germany for children and adolescents with mental health problems. However, enactment of the PsychVVG law on 1 January 2017 has changed this, so that intensive home treatment (stationsaquivalente Behandlung, StaB) can now be offered as an alternative to inpatient treatment. This literature review a) analyzes existing German home treatment studies for effectiveness, b) determines from international reviews criteria for effective home treatment, and c) aligns these with the standardized StaB criteria. Method: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library referencing "hometreatment AND children" as well as "hometreatment AND adolesc*. Results: Flexibility, mobility, multiprofessionality, a wide spectrum of possible interventions, the option of inpatient admission. 24/7 availability as well as daily treatment sessions have been found to be factors for effective home treatment. In German studies, home treatment was shown to enhance psychosocial functioning, parental competences, long-term effectiveness, and acceptance by the families. The highest effect for home treatment was demonstrated in children and adolescents with externalizing disorders. Conclusion: Intensive home treatment (StaB) meets the criteria identified in the literature and is a good addition to existing treatment options for children and adolescents with mental health problems in Germany.