Step I: Computer assisted psychosocial self-assessment and brief written computerized advice (BWA) for all patients | |
Components  • Multiple-choice questions that can be answered by use of mouse, without requiring any input from keyboard  • Duration: Approximately 25 min per patient  • Items: Standardized psychological screening tests and single items concerning psychological distress, as well as social, lifestyle and psychological factors related to mental health and psychosocial therapy Objective  • To offer computerized tailored BWA to all participants of the screening | Topics of BWA  • For patients without clinically significant psychological distress: Positive feedback of screening test results indicating healthy lifestyle  • For patients with clinically significant psychological distress: Detailed, individually tailored feedback of test results indicating psychological distress; if required suggestions concerning therapy and behavior changes  • Domains: Depression, anxiety, general psychological distress, substance use problems (alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco), well-being, quality of life, other health factors like weight, sleep and physical exercise |
Step II: BRIA psychotherapy sessions for patients with comorbid mental disorders | |
Components  • Inpatient therapy sessions during hospital stay, outpatient sessions after discharge  • Bedside visits and sessions in therapy rooms  • Duration up to 50 min per session  • Outpatient BRIA sessions up to 3 months postoperatively, booster sessions up to 6 months postoperatively Objectives  • To motivate patients with mental disorders and support them in participating in subsequent psychosocial health care options  • To initiate the improvement of patients’ psychological symptoms and well-being | Topics of therapy sessions  • Detailed psychological assessment and clarification of diagnoses of mental disorders according to ICD-10  • Development of therapeutic alliance and activation of resources  • MI to enhance motivation for therapy participation and behavior change  • Emotional relief and individually oriented crisis interventions  • Introduction of relaxation and stress management techniques  • Guided discovery of reciprocal relationships between behavior, cognition, emotion and medical conditions  • Elaboration of a biopsychosocial model of disease and health  • Introduction to the concept of coping and problem skills training  • Information on psychosocial mental health care options and teaching of skills how to apply for programs of psychosocial health care |