[Outpatient Psychotherapy Under Naturalistic Conditions: A Selective Review of Results from German Speaking Countries].

There is a growing body of literature recognizing the importance of outpatient psychotherapy. Several studies investigated the efficacy of outpatient psychotherapy and aspects of the health care system under natural conditions. This paper gives an overview of studies from German speaking countries (TRANS-OP-, TK-, PAP-S- and QS-PSY-BAY-study).The results of the different studies indicate both, positive outcome of the therapies (e. g., reduction of symptoms with an average ES of 1,03; improvement of symptoms despite premature termination) as well as an economic benefit (end of treatment depending on treatment outcome and not limited by therapy sessions; extensions of psychotherapy only if patient is highly impaired and therapeutic alliance is positive; high reduction of supply costs and sick leave). However, the low health care density in rural areas and the waiting periods before starting therapy are indicators of structural problems of the health care system with respect to outpatient psychotherapy.The efficacy of outpatient psychotherapies under natural conditions is sufficiently supported. Future studies should investigate structural aspects of the health care system, for example by focussing on the establishment of inter-sectoral connections between different professional groups and a reduction of bureaucratic actions.