Nationwide Uniform Scientific Evaluation of Flexible and Integrated Treatment Projects From 2022 Onwards

The introduction of Section 64b of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V) created the possibility of agreeing so-called FIT (flexible and integrated treatment) model projects for the further development of care for mentally ill people in Germany. The objective is to improve cross-sectoral care or optimize patient care. More than 20 FIT projects have been established at German psychiatric hospitals since 2013. Some FIT projects were prolonged after eight years (max. 15 years in sum). New FIT projects are planned.

In accordance with § 65 SGB V, all FIT projects under § 64b SGB V, must be scientifically evaluated by an independent expert. The aim of this evaluation is to examine the achievement of the objectives of the FIT model projects based on anonymized claims data.

The effectiveness, costs, and cost-effectiveness of the FIT model hospital care compared to standard care are to be examined. FIT projects include those starting before 2022 and being prolonged and those FIT projects starting between 2022 and June 2026. The study presented here is a controlled cohort study utilizing anonymous claims data. The controlled design is based on the fact that information of patients from intervention hospitals (any FIT design) is compared to information of comparable patients from structurally similar psychiatric hospitals in the same federal state (Petzold et al, Gesundheitswesen 2019, 81(1):63-71).

• Duration of day care psychiatric treatment [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]
• Outpatient psychiatric treatment (within and outside the hospital) [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]
• Continuity of care [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]
• Inpatient hospital readmission [Срок оценки: one year prior to one year after first full inpatient psychiatric discharge after recruitment]
• Discontinuation of contacts for severely mentally ill patients within the psychiatric care system [Срок оценки: one year prior to one year after recruitment]
• Hopping [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]
• Comorbidities [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]
• Mortality [Срок оценки: event time analysis]
• Disease progression [Срок оценки: event time analysis]
• Direct medical care costs [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]
• Cost-effectiveness (direct medical costs) [Срок оценки: one year prior to recruitment compared to first to max year after recruitment]