[Effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions: the potentials of professional guidelines - a methodological consensus proposal].

ABSTRACT

Psychotherapeutic interventions diff er from other health care interventions in many ways, thus the indicators of evidence-based medicine should be used with modifications when necessary. Implementation of a unified evaluation and quality assurance framework would aid the psychotherapy scene in having their intervention methods acknowledged by other medical specialties as an equal healthcare intervention. Professional recommendations regarding the interventions and methods used in clinical care in the field of psychotherapy can be laid down in specific professional guidelines of the domestic healthcare regulatory practice. A professional guideline is both a starting point and a practical guide for (planning to train, in training, or trained) professionals, as well as for the healthcare funder(s). In addition, a fixed professional framework would provide a consistent and accountable reference for quality assurance for patients who wish to recover and for those consider receiving psychotherapy. Evidence-based recommendations for the practice of the profession 1) can validate the applied care practice through findings supported from a scientific point of view, 2) can consensually resolve the specific contradictions of the field through definitions 3) can also provide a basis for transparent training, administrative and financing aspects. Consistent professional decision-making must be carried out according to a uniform ranking system. The reliability of the evidence is also very important in terms of clinical applicability of a psychotherapy method.