[Psychotherapeutic care in OCD outpatients--results from an anonymous therapist survey]

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the actual psychotherapeutic care in OCD outpatients. All psychotherapeutic members of the Südbaden Association Of Statutory Health (n=386) were contacted to fill in an anonymous questionnaire regarding frequency of treatment and treatment strategies in OCD. Particularly, the application of exposure therapy was asked. Answers were analysed descriptively. 177 therapists (45%) took part in the study. In average, psychotherapists treated about 3 patients with OCD in 2006. 86.7% of the therapists estimated the treatment of OCD as being of no relevance or only of little relevance in their daily practice. Exposure treatment was used by less than half of the therapists. The most frequent reason for avoidance of exposure treatment was a lack of experience or insufficient training in this technique. Results suggest a need for optimization of OCD outpatient care, especially with regard to application of treatment strategies with scientific evidence.