[Online schema therapy: a cross-sectional survey among Dutch therapists]. / Schematherapie via beeldbellen; crosssectioneel onderzoek onder therapeuten.

BACKGROUND: Long waiting lists exist for the treatment of personality disorders, which can be shortened by using videoconference treatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, by necessity, videoconferencing was used to provide schema therapy, a specific treatment for personality disorders. AIM: To investigate therapist experience of schema therapy via videoconferencing during the pandemic. METHOD: In an observational cross-sectional study, 83 schema therapists completed a questionnaire about the period prior to, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated their experience, use of, and attitude toward videoconferencing, as well as the extent to which the effectiveness of videoconferencing and face to face (F2F) schema therapy for personality disorders was found to be comparable. RESULTS: Schema therapists rated their experience with videoconferencing therapy for personality disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic positively, its use increased during this period, and therapists’ attitudes became more positive. However, the majority found videoconferencing therapy less effective than F2F treatment. Almost half of the therapists used shorter sessions or adapted exercises during videoconferencing therapy. CONCLUSION: Although therapists were increasingly positive about video conferencing therapy, they believed that F2F treatment is more effective. Randomized efficacy studies of videoconferencing therapy compared to F2F therapy are needed, also examining patients’ experiences with both forms.

[Quality systems in Dutch mental healthcare have a limited impact on the practice of care]. / Kwaliteitssystemen in de Nederlandse ggz hebben weinig impact op de praktijk van de zorg.

BACKGROUND: Quality systems have become an important and widely used method of monitoring and improving the quality of care in mental health care. However, little is known about the impact of these systems on the daily practice of care.
AIM: To determine and explain the impact of quality systems.
METHOD: A combination of qualitative (focus groups, document analysis, interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire, literature analysis) data collection and analyses based on different theoretical perspectives.
RESULTS: There are many quality systems available, while the impact on the practice of care is limited. Many systems are unknown and are not used or used inadequately. The lack of impact can be explained by role uncertainty and mistrust in the sector. The fact that certain systems are used can largely be explained by the individual preferences of professionals.
CONCLUSION: The current deployment of quality systems is very inefficient. There is no common definition of quality and the quality information from the systems is complex. This complicates the application of quality information. In addition, there is a great deal of mistrust towards the sector, which means that systems are used for control rather than for quality improvement.

[Multisystemic therapy for child abuse and neglect (MST-CAN): description of the treatment, psychiatric morbidity, and the psychiatrist's role]. / Multisysteemtherapie bij kindermishandeling (MST-CAN): beschrijving van de behandeling, de psychiatrische problematiek en de rol van de psychiater.

BACKGROUND: Many untreated psychiatric problems occur in families where there is child abuse. It is very important to find ways of ensuring that the hard-to-reach families receive adequate psychiatric assessment and appropriate treatment. AIM: To describe the treatment method and first results of multisystemic therapy for child abuse and neglect (mst-can). METHOD: We report the psychiatric problems of the first 18 families that were treated and we report the follow-up during the first 18 months. In addition, the mst-can treatment and the psychiatrist's role are illustrated by taking two cases as an example. RESULTS: Most of the families agreed to a psychiatric assessment and subsequent treatment. In most families safety improved considerably and out-of-house placements were avoided. CONCLUSION: The first results suggest that mst-can is a promising treatment for families where there is child abuse. Essential elements of mst-can are targeted psychiatric diagnostic assessment and subsequent treatment.