On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Psy diploma, the ÖÄK identified great potential in medical discussions and called on health policy to take appropriate measures.
“It is now 35 years since the Austrian Medical Association launched the diplomas for psychosocial, psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic medicine in 1989 in order to do justice to the complex biopsychosocial connections in medicine. This is how a success story has begun,” said ÖÄK President Johannes Steinhart before the survey “35 years of Psy diplomas: Psy 1, Psy 2, Psy 3 – yesterday, today, tomorrow” and backed up the success with facts:
- Today, almost 3,000 doctors have the diploma in psychosocial medicine (Psy1), which, as basic training, conveys the basic medical attitude of the so-called empathic resonance in the doctor-patient relationship and trains conversation and communication skills.
- Just over 2,100 doctors hold the diploma in psychosomatic medicine (Psy2), which includes professional relationship aspects and special biopsychosocioecological or bio-psycho-social health aspects in the treatment.
- Almost 1,500 doctors have the diploma in psychotherapeutic medicine (Psy3), which includes the full psychotherapeutic competence to independently practice psychotherapeutic medicine as part of their medical practice and qualifies them for psychotherapeutic diagnosis, care and treatment of patients.
“This three-stage structure of further training is certainly one of the keys to success,” stated Steinhart. The flexible design appeals to doctors from all disciplines, so everyone can adapt the knowledge they have learned to their personal requirements and needs, said the ÖÄK President, who himself has completed all three diplomas. “This is also why I personally am a big supporter of these diplomas, because the majority of illnesses not only have physical but also psychological components,” said Steinhart.
The Austrian Medical Association is therefore committed to upgrading medical consultations and conversational medicine. “More time for patients, especially in the health insurance area, not only means greater satisfaction with the job, but also offers patients great additional benefits,” said Steinhart. Ultimately, we can take a more comprehensive approach here and also work better preventatively. “The current cash register system with its caps, especially in educational discussions, represents the complete opposite – which is why we urgently call for a change of course.”
Indispensable treatment service
“The increase in knowledge and competence in medicine, its horizons for action and its measurable successes are undoubtedly impressive,” emphasized Karl Forstner, head of the ÖÄK Department for Psychosocial, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapeutic Medicine and President of the Medical Association for Salzburg. These developments, driven by scientific, technical and digital transformations, almost inevitably result in an ever-increasing specialization of medical professional fields. “As much as the professional representation supports the concrete implementation of these differentiation steps, this development also causes discomfort and criticism in the medical profession,” stated Forstner. The ever-increasing focus on ever narrower problems appears to be increasingly affecting the overall patient focus. “This structural condition is overshadowed and reinforced by the time pressure that is perceived as ominous in many areas. This time pressure, which is also noticeable for patients, obviously and understandably contradicts their expectations of responsive medicine. “The professional representation’s demand for substantially increased recognition of the conversation as an indispensable, essential medical treatment service is not just an issue of medical fees, but is also a prerequisite for patients’ satisfaction with medicine and for the medical profession in medicine,” postulated Forstner.
The higher rating of the medical consultation and more time for medical action are of course associated with costs, noted Forstner: “But these investments would pay for themselves because the optimized treatment means that patients heal faster and more sustainably. This takes the pressure off the system again – so we can achieve a fundamental improvement for all system partners without any costs.”
Reward and appreciation
“Three out of ten patients suffer from psychosocially caused physical complaints and illnesses. This scientifically proven finding is still largely ignored in care,” clarified Luise Zieser-Stelzhammer, ÖÄK consultant for psychosocial, psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic medicine. Combined medical and psychosomatic psychotherapeutic care is required at an early stage in order to prevent stress and chronic illness. “Psy-certified doctors have this medical psychosocial, psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic competence. “This low-threshold medical access to care reduces direct and indirect health costs,” said Zieser-Stelzhammer, describing a major advantage.
The ÖÄK-PPP department is also committed to expanding and improving this highly qualified, conversational medical care area. “The individual conversation and relationship design between doctor and patient taught in the ÖÄK-Psy Diploma training is of central importance for recovery and development of self-healing skills. The performance of motivated doctors who take this further training path should be valued through appropriate remuneration in the health system,” emphasized Zieser-Stelzhammer.
The psychosocial and psychosomatic aspects should be taken into account right at the start of treatment in the medical practice if the further course of the disease is influenced by the doctor’s behavior. “Physical graduate doctors carry out physical and psychosomatic psychotherapeutic diagnostics and therapy at the same time and on an equal basis, which cannot be carried out by other health professions due to a lack of medical competence,” emphasized Zieser-Stelzhammer. In accordance with the valid clinical guidelines, psy-certified doctors are professionally trained to ensure initial basic care, extended basic care and psychotherapeutic medical care and to specifically use collaborations with other health professions if necessary.
Overwhelming evidence
“The joint consideration of biological and psychosocial factors leads to better medical results in around 4 out of 10 patients,” said Christian Fazekas, President of the Austrian Society for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (ÖGPPM).
The evidence for the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors is overwhelming. For example, loneliness increases the risk of heart disease and leads to a shortened life expectancy. Educational background also plays an important role in life expectancy in Austria. “In order to take psychosocial factors into account in a structured manner, it is necessary to consider the possibility of psychosocial risk factors for all patients in the future. For the patient, the conversation with the treating doctor is and remains the key to being able to open up, confide, communicate and support the patient-centered diagnosis and treatment well and reliably,” says Fazekas.
“The ÖGPPM is committed to specifically counteracting the current burdens on people in the health professions,” emphasized Fazekas and formulated three essential steps:
- In the first step, the health of people in the health professions should be given greater attention. People in the health professions should be able to use their own health-related know-how for themselves.
- In addition, in all health policy decisions, the core process “medical consultation” should be given the importance that makes it possible to implement it in a high-quality manner.
- In addition, the possibilities of digitalization should be increasingly used to ensure that patients can better understand the benefits of the treatment and their health-promoting activities and, if they wish, have the opportunity to make data about themselves and their situation digitally available to their practitioners.
**How does the tiered structure of Psy Diplomas contribute to addressing the diverse needs and specializations within the medical field?**
## Interview: The Significance of Psy Diplomas: A Holistic Approach to Healthcare
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re exploring the 35th anniversary of the Psy Diploma program launched by the Austrian Medical Association (ÖÄK). This program has revolutionized healthcare by emphasizing the link between physical and mental well-being. We’re joined by three esteemed guests: Dr. Johannes Steinhart, President of the ÖÄK; Dr. Karl Forstner, head of the ÖÄK Department for Psychosocial, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapeutic Medicine; and Dr. Christian Fazekas, President of the Austrian Society for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (ÖGPPM).
**Section 1: The Success Story of Psy Diplomas**
*(To Dr. Steinhart)*
Dr. Steinhart, the article highlights the impressive growth of Psy Diploma holders over the past 35 years. Can you elaborate on the factors driving this success and the impact these doctors have on patient care?
*(To Dr. Forstner)*
Dr. Forstner, the three-tiered structure of Psy Diplomas allows doctors to tailor their training based on their specialization. How do you see this flexibility influencing the future of medical practice?
**Section 2: The Importance of Conversational Medicine**
*(To Dr. Steinhart)*
Dr. Steinhart, the ÖÄK emphasizes the need for “upgrading medical consultations” and “conversational medicine.” Can you explain why these aspects are crucial in today’s healthcare landscape, particularly with the existing constraints of the health insurance system?
*(To Dr. Forstner)*
Dr. Forstner, you advocate for a “substantial increase in recognition of conversation as an indispensable medical treatment service.” How can this be achieved, and what are the potential benefits for both patients and the healthcare system?
**Section 3: The Expanding Role of Psy-Certified Doctors**
*(To Dr. Zieser-Stelzhammer)*
Dr. Zieser-Stelzhammer, the article mentions that “three out of ten patients suffer from psychosocially caused physical complaints,” a figure often overlooked in traditional healthcare. How do Psy-certified doctors address this gap and contribute to a more preventative approach?
*(To Dr. Fazekas)*
Dr. Fazekas, what role can Psy-certified doctors play in incorporating psychosocial factors into medical diagnosis and treatment, leading to improved patient outcomes?
**Section 4: Challenges and Future Directions**
*(Open to all panelists)*
What are the biggest challenges facing the implementation of these principles within the current healthcare system?
How can advancements in digital technology be utilized to further integrate conversational medicine and improve patient engagement?
**(Concluding Remarks)**
Thank you to our distinguished guests for sharing their invaluable insights on this vital topic. We hope this discussion sheds light on the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare and the significant role Psy-certified doctors play in shaping the future of medicine.
