German adaptation of the client sociodemographic and service receipt inventory - An instrument for the cost of mental health care.

Aim: Psychiatric health services research has to consider health economic p oints of view more than before as a result of the present-day financial pro blems in our health care system. Therefore an instrument was developed, whi ch is suitable for the evaluation of cost of mental health care in Germany. Method: The Client Sociodemographic and Service Receipt Inventory (CSSRI-E U), which was developed in the UK, was adapted to the German situation and for the first time used in a cost-effectiveness-analysis of mental health c are. The adaptation process of the instrument and the practical application are explained and pros and cons considered. Results: The German adaptation of the CSSRI-EU has proven effective in practical application. The instrum ent offers feasible solutions for many problems with the cost of mental hea lth care. The instrument can be used for the calculation of direct and indi rect costs and gives information about service utilization and medication p rofiles of the clients. Conclusion: The German adaptation of the CSSRI-EU i s a feasible instrument for the evaluation of the cost of mental health car e in Germany.