ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess relevant patient- and therapist-associated traits for indication decision for a psychiatric day hospital. METHODS: Therapeutic assessments concerning emotional experience, initial working relationship and disorder-related criteria were investigated after 155 preliminary talks at one day hospital. RESULTS: A higher patient`s motivation and a current symptomatology predict a positive indication outcome. Patients who do not start treatment although a positive indication are significantly less motivated, a personality disorder is suspected more likely and the quality of the working relationship tends to be worse than in the admitted patients. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary talks have a selective function concerning the indication for day hospital treatment.
