[Communication of psychiatric hospitals' specialization]. / Kommunikation von Behandlungsschwerpunkten psychiatrischer Kliniken.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether specialization of psychiatric hospitals results in quality improvement, and whether it can and should be measured and communicated to patients and ambulatory care physicians. METHODS: Depth interviews with key deciders in the German psychiatric care system. RESULTS: There are several specializations within the system of psychiatric hospital care which can be communicated to patients and physicians; this would facilitate choice of hospital. There is no national database available yet. CONCLUSIONS: Data collection and communication as provided by an independent organization would improve knowledge about hospital specialization.