Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42469739›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2026

Patients' attitudes and expectations toward a digital inpatient-like psychotherapy concept: a qualitative interview study.

Lucy Ann Gresser, Tania Lalgi, Patrick Jonas Wollenberg, Alexander Diel, Christoph Jansen, Rebekka Robitzsch, Martin Teufel, Alexander Bäuerle, Anita Robitzsch

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Lucy Ann GresserClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Tania LalgiClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Patrick Jonas WollenbergClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Alexander DielClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Christoph JansenClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Rebekka RobitzschClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Martin TeufelClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Alexander BäuerleClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany. alexander.baeuerle@lvr.de.ORCID 0000-0003-1488-8592
Anita RobitzschClinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147, Essen, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn recent years, digital mental health interventions have become increasingly important due to the rising demand for psychotherapy and the shortage of resources. Digital inpatient-like psychotherapy (DIPT) is a therapeutic concept that allows patients to receive inpatient-like psychotherapy in a digital environment, encompassing multiple dimensions of psychotherapy. It represents a comprehensive and intensive form of psychotherapeutic treatment.

objectiveThis qualitative interview study sheds light on patients' attitudes and expectations toward digital inpatient-like psychotherapy in terms of acceptance, perceived benefits and barriers, as well as suggestions for initial implementation steps.

methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 patients receiving day-patient or inpatient psychotherapy in a university hospital. Iterative thematic analysis and inductive coding were conducted by three independent researchers following Braun and Clarke's approach to thematic analysis. Three overarching themes were identified, along with multiple subsidiary themes and subthemes.

resultsInterviewees included individuals with various mental health disorders. The analysis of the interviews revealed three overarching themes: (1) requirements for effective implementation of DIPT, (2) relational dynamics within the interpersonal domain of DIPT, and 3) relief associated with engagement in DIPT. These overarching themes comprised six themes. The overall attitude and acceptance toward digital inpatient-like psychotherapy was predominantly positive, with interviewees recognizing numerous benefits including location independency, time flexibility, and increased openness toward personal mental health issues. However, potential barriers such as lack of personal prioritization, tendencies for social withdrawal or insufficient relationship building must be addressed and considered.

conclusionThe findings provide valuable insights into digital mental health interventions and could assist in the development of feasible, patient-centered digital inpatient-like psychotherapy concepts. It is essential to consider patients' appreciation for personal interaction, which could be addressed through the approach of a hybrid treatment.

Indexed as

InpatientsMental DisordersPatient Acceptance of Health CarePsychotherapyAdultDigital HealthDigital MediaFemaleHumansMaleMental Health TeletherapyMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchBlended psychotherapyDigital interventioneHealthE-mental healthMental health carePsychiatric inpatient care

Identifiers

PMID42469739
PMCPMC13383404

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.