Thanks to "SomPsyNet" - better quality of life for patients

Almost every third person who is hospitalised for physical complaints is suffering from psychosocial stress. The newly launched Basel project "SomPsyNet" uses tablet-based screening to determine psychosocial stress in order to help patients as early as possible. We spoke to Dr Marco Bachmann, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychosomatics at Bethesda Hospital, to find out more about this exciting project.

Dr Bachmann, the old Roman saying "Only in a healthy body can a healthy mind dwell" seems to be gaining in importance again in our modern times with all the diseases of civilisation caused by poor eating habits, living and working conditions and environmental pollution. To what extent can a physical illness actually affect the psyche?

This question cannot be answered in just one way. Everything we perceive interacts with our body and our psyche and is interpreted by us depending on what we have already experienced in our lives. An illness therefore also has something to do with our life story. For example, if someone has serious heart problems and has already undergone several interventions, slight pain in the heart area can trigger feelings of anxiety. This in turn can cause pressure on the chest and palpitations. The pain therefore intensifies, causing even more anxiety. On the other hand, someone with no previous illness or traumatic experiences is less likely to be disturbed by similar pain. Body and soul are closely connected. It is therefore important that treatment in hospital focuses not only on the physical complaints, but also on the emotional stress.

What does the search for incriminating events at Bethesda Hospital actually look like?

On the SomPsyNet pilot wards at Bethesda Hospital, every patient who is admitted to hospital is now asked about their psychosocial health and, if necessary, asked to complete an in-depth questionnaire on a tablet. Specific questions are used to recognise unresolved events or other stressful situations so that further steps can be taken. All with the aim of offering the patient concrete solutions. This may include, for example, the involvement of a psychiatrist or social services. In our discussions, we often find that this support relieves the patient enormously and that they regain a recognisable quality of life. Other advantages are that the patient recovers more quickly and has to be rehospitalised less frequently. Of course, this also significantly reduces healthcare costs, which is also an important aspect of this project.

Who is involved in "SomPsyNet" and what does the collaboration look like?

First and foremost, there is the Basel-Stadt Department of Health and the University Hospital Basel. The Bethesda Hospital, St. Claraspital, the University Geriatric Medicine Felix Platter and many outpatient healthcare providers in Basel are also involved in the implementation of "SomPsyNet". The project is being scientifically monitored and evaluated. As part of the collaboration, there are regular events at which all project employees, including all cooperation partners, exchange information on the development status in order to further expand the network together.

Will there be evaluations as to whether the pilot project has been successful?

Yes, the aim is to consolidate and further expand cooperation between the various healthcare sectors. Together with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and the University of Basel, Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), we are examining the benefits of SomPsyNet. To assess the impact on health and quality of life, both clinical data (inpatient treatment and follow-up hospital stays) and insurance data (use of other healthcare services) will be analysed. To evaluate the programme at patient level, a patient survey is also planned approximately 6 months after discharge from hospital.

Many thanks to Dr Bachmann for this interesting insight.

"SomPsyNet" - simply explained