Development and Implementation of Quality Standards in Psychosocial Services Entwicklung und Implementierung von Qualitätsstandards im Psychosozialen Dienst
- 1FrauenklinikUniversitätsklinikum ErlangenErlangenGermany.
- 2Hebammenwissenschaft/FrauenklinikUniversitätsklinikum ErlangenErlangenGermany.
Abstract
Introduction
Women's health care is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care within a multiprofessional team. While guideline-based psycho-oncological structures are well established and existent in oncology, comparable standardised psychosocial support services have so far been lacking in obstetrics and non-oncological gynaecology, even though complex situations involving distress and crisis regularly arise in these fields. Against this background, we investigated how a structured, psychosocial care service could be designed for these areas and integrated into routine care.Patients and methods
In a retrospective data analysis, key process steps in the implementation of psychosocial support by the Psychosocial Service of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University Hospital Erlangen were evaluated. The analysis was based on routine patient data and staffing data from the period 2008-2019. Based on relevant S2k guidelines, normative quality-assurance requirements and current specialist literature, the indications, range of services, and psychosocial care processes were systematically consolidated. Through an interprofessional coordination process, these elements were developed into a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a university perinatal centre.Results
The Psychosocial Service is structurally embedded in routine clinical practice. The care service provided under the Erlangen Model is based on a biopsychosocial, theoretically grounded, and quality-assured concept with defined staffing resources. The SOP specifies responsibilities, screening and determination of indications as well as a tiered range of services extending from initial contact and crisis intervention to ongoing support. The continuous increase in utilisation during the study period highlights the relevance and successful establishment of the model.Conclusion
A standardised psychosocial care service based on medical indication and delivered primarily by specially qualified midwives and nursing professionals, improves the quality of psychosocial care for patients in obstetrics and non-oncological gynaecology, thereby reducing the burden on the multiprofessional team. Implementing an SOP for the Psychosocial Service promotes the early identification of psychosocial distress, facilitates access to specialised support, and strengthens high-quality patient- and family-centred care.
Related
- Artificial Intelligence in Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine: Current Evidence, Clinical Validation and Implementation Künstliche Intelligenz in der Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin: aktuelle Evidenz, klinische Validierung und Implementierung
- Nutritional, psychosocial, socioeconomic, and family factors associated with conceptual skill development among preschool children: evidence from Rupandehi District, Nepal
- Implementation of a universal psychosocial screening program across the pediatric cancer treatment trajectory: a standard of care.
- Development of a prediction model for occupational satisfaction among cancer patients following counseling in German psychosocial cancer counseling centers
- Development of a psychosocial intervention in cardiac rehabilitation: a co-creation process
BibTeX
@article{kozjakstorjohann2026development,
title = {{Development and Implementation of Quality Standards in Psychosocial Services Entwicklung und Implementierung von Qualitätsstandards im Psychosozialen Dienst}},
author = {Beatrix M E Kozjak-Storjohann and Larissa Pfaller and Ramona Bantke and Claudia Fischer and Susanne Haas and Florian Faschingbauer and Michael O Schneider and Matthias W Beckmann},
journal = {Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1055/a-2914-0554},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13754456},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Development and Implementation of Quality Standards in Psychosocial Services Entwicklung und Implementierung von Qualitätsstandards im Psychosozialen Dienst
AU - Beatrix M E Kozjak-Storjohann
AU - Larissa Pfaller
AU - Ramona Bantke
AU - Claudia Fischer
AU - Susanne Haas
AU - Florian Faschingbauer
AU - Michael O Schneider
AU - Matthias W Beckmann
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/02
JO - Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
DO - 10.1055/a-2914-0554
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13754456
AB - Introduction Women's health care is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care within a multiprofessional team. While guideline-based psycho-oncological structures are well established and existent in oncology, comparable standardised psychosocial support services have so far been lacking in obstetrics and non-oncological gynaecology, even though complex situations involving distress and crisis regularly arise in these fields. Against this background, we investigated how a structured, psychosocial care service could be designed for these areas and integrated into routine care.Patients and methods In a retrospective data analysis, key process steps in the implementation of psychosocial support by the Psychosocial Service of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University Hospital Erlangen were evaluated. The analysis was based on routine patient data and staffing data from the period 2008-2019. Based on relevant S2k guidelines, normative quality-assurance requirements and current specialist literature, the indications, range of services, and psychosocial care processes were systematically consolidated. Through an interprofessional coordination process, these elements were developed into a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a university perinatal centre.Results The Psychosocial Service is structurally embedded in routine clinical practice. The care service provided under the Erlangen Model is based on a biopsychosocial, theoretically grounded, and quality-assured concept with defined staffing resources. The SOP specifies responsibilities, screening and determination of indications as well as a tiered range of services extending from initial contact and crisis intervention to ongoing support. The continuous increase in utilisation during the study period highlights the relevance and successful establishment of the model.Conclusion A standardised psychosocial care service based on medical indication and delivered primarily by specially qualified midwives and nursing professionals, improves the quality of psychosocial care for patients in obstetrics and non-oncological gynaecology, thereby reducing the burden on the multiprofessional team. Implementing an SOP for the Psychosocial Service promotes the early identification of psychosocial distress, facilitates access to specialised support, and strengthens high-quality patient- and family-centred care.
SN - 0016-5751
SN - 1438-8804
ER -