A German psychiatric care program aiming to improve patients’ compliance – Patients’ view

ABSTRACT

Noncompliance is a worldwide problem in medical care, leading to prolonged recovery times and rehospitalizations. Especially in the field of psychiatry, consistent therapy compliance is crucial. Hence the Munich Integrated Care program for patients suffering from psychiatric disorders aims at improving patients’ compliance. To bring to light participants' personal experiences with the program, we conducted group interviews that we evaluated using qualitative methods. We shed light on what aspects make a psychiatric health care program so valuable in the eyes of its participants that it can develop its effect as a relapse-preventive agent. We found that in this program, patients experienced safety, stability, support, hope, motivation and understanding.