Psychosocial risk screening in the inpatient care of physically ill patients: study protocol for a feasibility study
Background The length of hospital stay for patients with physical illnesses is longer for those with mental health comorbidity, particularly in the presence of severe physical multimorbidity. Integrating psychosocial risk screening at hospital admission, with a subsequent care pathway, could address...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
March 18, 2026
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| In: |
BMJ open
Year: 2026, Volume: 16, Issue: 3, Pages: 1-7 |
| ISSN: | 2044-6055 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-102470 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-102470 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/3/e102470 
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| Author Notes: | Stephan Christoph Feder, Zuhal Simsek, Joe J. Simon, Mechthild Hartmann, Bastian Bruns, Till Johannes Bugaj, Jonas Hoch, Martin Dugas, Hans-Christoph Friederich |
| Summary: | Background The length of hospital stay for patients with physical illnesses is longer for those with mental health comorbidity, particularly in the presence of severe physical multimorbidity. Integrating psychosocial risk screening at hospital admission, with a subsequent care pathway, could address psychosomatic and social care needs early and reduce length of stay. However, implementation may be hindered by organisational factors such as increased staff workload and timely integration into existing processes. In addition, patient factors such as low acceptance of screening and follow-up may affect uptake. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing this integrated approach to screening and follow-up in preparation for a confirmatory trial. - Methods The present study is a single centre, randomised feasibility study conducted on a pilot ward. Patients will be enrolled and assigned to the intervention or the control group. Only the intervention group will receive tablet-based psychosocial risk screening conducted by ward physicians or medical students in their practical year. If the psychosomatic screening is positive and the patient agrees, he or she is referred to the psychosomatic consultation service. If the social service screening is positive, the patient will be seen by a social worker. The main objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a full-sized confirmatory trial. An informed consent rate of 30% of eligible patients is set as the feasibility criterion. A study period of 4 months is planned for the feasibility study. The feasibility study will be analysed using descriptive statistics. - Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University (S-301/2024) on 24 May 2024. The results of this feasibility study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. - Trial registration number NCT06651164. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 27.04.2026 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2044-6055 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-102470 |