[Outcome Quality of Medical Rehab in the Mirror of Singular and Multiple Outcome Criteria - Where is Psychosomatic Rehab when Comparing Indications?] / Ergebnisqualität medizinischer Rehabilitation im Spiegel singulärer und multipler Ergebniskriterien ­ Wo steht die Psychosomatische Rehabilitation im Indikationenvergleich?

BACKGROUND: A series of studies proves a good outcome quality of psychosomatic rehabilitation. However, outcome-related comparisons with other indications are hardly available. METHODS: As part of a multicenter study, n=6608 rehabilitants from the indications psychosomatics, cardiology, neurology, oncology and orthopedics were checked regarding starting features and longer-term outcome quality (one-point survey 1 year after the end of the rehab). With a generic measurement and evaluation approach, direct and quasi-indirect change measurements and status measurements were made. In addition to comparing singular and multiple outcome criteria ("Patient Reported Outcomes", PRO), outcome criteria from the rehab statistics database (RSD) have also been checked. RESULTS: The 5 indication groups differ in both starting and process characteristics as well as in the short and longer-term outcome criteria. However, the effect sizes of the associations are mostly low. In all indications, there are positive changes in the field of health-related characteristics. The highest pre-post effect sizes are mostly found in psychosomatics, the least in neurology. In all indications, social security contributions in the first year after rehab are a bit declining - least in oncology, most clearly in neurology. Despite the biggest pre-post effects sizes in the health-related features, the rehabilitants of psychosomatics are less satisfied with the rehab and evaluate the benefits of rehab less positive. At the level of multiple outcome criteria, the indications - except neurology - are relatively little different. The multiple outcome criterion can be predicted to 28% from starting and process characteristics. Best predictor is the user sided rating regarding the job-related orientation of the rehab. CONCLUSION: The study once again proves a good longer-term outcome quality of psychosomatic rehab. However, it also shows that the longer-term outcome quality of all major indications measured by means of multiple outcome criteria is at a similar level (except neurology).Possible limitations of the study result from the one-point measurement and the resulting mode of change measurement.