Qualität in der Weiterbildung: Aktueller Stand und Zukunft psychotherapeutischer Aus- und Weiterbildung

The reform concept of a 'Direktausbildung', which includes a mainstreaming of the structure of psychotherapy training to the structure of other academic health professions with an academic program that is regulated by national licensing regulations and followed by an advanced training program, is received with significant criticism in the professional community. The criticism in particular is that, in a development analogous to medical specialist training, the quality of the current psychotherapy training cannot be maintained. To put this discussion on a sound basis, we offer arguments on what in our view contributes to the quality of psychotherapeutic training and provide empirical evidence on the quality of psychotherapeutic training and advanced medical training. Shown are consequences for a future advanced training, which are deemed necessary to ensure a high quality of competence acquisition: The training should offer a combination of practical training on the job under supervision combined with established training elements, such as theory workshops and promotion of personal competencies (Selbsterfahrung). Various patient care settings and patient groups should be included in the training. The previous psychotherapy training institutes (Ausbildungsinstitute) should continue to play a central role as advanced training institutes (Weiterbildungsinstitute) and cooperate with other advanced training facilities. The acquisition of competence should be defined in detail and should be verifiable, and psychotherapist chambers would have an important function as a surveillance and accreditation institution. In order to implement these quality features, the training structures must be equipped with sufficient financial means.