[Integration of psychosomatics with internal medicine. A diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for psychosomatic-internal medicine patients].

The high incidence of contributory psychosocial factors in developmental aspects of internal diseases makes it necessary to give up traditional forms of cooperation between internal and psychosomatic medicine, such as consultations, in favour of more intensive cooperation, in the course of which psychosocial aspects would be taken more into account in diagnosis and therapy of all patients in medical wards and clinics. A new method of treatment integrated into the medical department is presented, which favours not only patients, but also team-centered approach. The referral frequency of the new service, the diagnostic distribution and the therapeutic management of the first 270 patients is discussed. Special staff training, the key function of the first interview, the attainable cooperation and pre-selection of referred patients and the importance of the referral talk are emphasized.