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Abstract
The aims of this study were to preliminary examine the feasibility of existing placement matching guidelines from the Netherlands in the German health-care system and to pilot study procedures for a following randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study was conducted at a psychiatric clinic offering a 3-week alcohol withdrawal program. After intake, patients were assessed with the Measurements in the Addictions for Triage and Evaluation (MATE). At discharge, therapists made recommendations for referrals to further treatment. Six months after discharge, patients were interviewed by phone regarding alcohol consumption, health status, and health-care utilization. For the 54 participating patients, placement matching to one of the four levels of care (LOC) was calculated based on the MATE. Most patients were assigned to LOC2 or LOC3 (n = 44), whereas there was no significant association to the recommendations made by therapists. Among the 31 patients reached for follow-up, 3 did not receive treatment, 3 received treatment less, 9 more, and 13 exactly as intensive as predicted by the matching guidelines. The placement matching guidelines can be feasible.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Gerard Schippers, Theo Broekman, Ludwig Kraus, Heinrich Kuefner, and Fred Rist for their contribution to the study design and interpretation of the results, Samuel Fahrer, Deborah Kaiser, and Mirjam Hensgen for their assistance with the data collection, and our colleagues from the Freiburg qualified withdrawal unit for their help in conducting the study. In particular, we want to thank Miles Cox for editorial assistance.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. Its efficacy is currently investigated in a RCT funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (funding code: 01GY1114).