The Zurich Intervention Planning and Evaluation Form (ZIPEF): A procedere for the assessment of quality control of therapeutic interventions

This paper introduces the Zurich Intervention Planning and Evaluation Form (ZIPEF). The instrument covers (1) treatment problems, (2) interventions as to type, duration, and time expenditure, (3) treatment outcome and (4) cau sal factors. A total of 413 treatment problems were evaluated with the ZIPE F in a public child and adolescent psychiatric service. Depending on the ta rget (e. g. symptoms, personality, relationship) the distribution of types of intervention differed. Time expenditures were significantly higher only for client-centred interventions than for parent counseling and similar for all other interventions. Treatment outcome and cooperation were independen t from type of intervention. The main causal factor of treatment outcome fo r almost all types of interventions was cooperation followed by ressources in some types of intervention. Complexity of the treatment problem tended t o be another important determinant for treatment outcome. In summary, the Z IPEF can contribute to quality management in the area of intervention plann ing and evaluation of clienteles with mental health problems.