[The function of the round table in social psychiatric ambulatory care].

The round table is the center of the activities in the outpatient service of the Sociopsychiatric University Clinic Bern. First the life at the round table is shortly described. Then the different functions of the round table in the care of psychiatric longterm patients are discussed in detail. So the patients, who are partly considerably handicapped, out of their social isolation. The so arising relationships can be helpful for the patients in different areas. Furthermore it can be shown, that the round table fullfills all the functions of an informal, open, sociotherapeutic group. We emphasize on the great importance of the open and tolerant atmosphere at the round table for the therapeutic effect of it.