The combined effect of psychodynamic psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy on healthcare cost. (3rd October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yonatan-Leus, Refael; Abargil, Maayan; Cooper-Kazaz, Rena
• Is Part Of: Psychotherapy research. Volume 32:Number 7(2022)
• Page Start: 874
• Page End: 885
• Publication Date: 2022-10-03
• Subjects: healthcare utilization -- economic benefits -- psychodynamic psychotherapy -- combined treatment -- psychiatric medication; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Research -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychothérapie -- Périodiques; Psychothérapie -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2022.2032861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-3307

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Previous studies have established a connection between therapy and healthcare cost: an increase in cost prior to therapy and a maintained decrease post therapy. There is, however, a lack of studies examining the combined effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy on healthcare cost. Method: Healthcare cost was examined quarterly in 1, 213 patients (28, 776 observations) in a naturalistic longitudinal design. Psychotherapy only was compared to combined treatment and to an addition of psychotherapy to preexisting pharmacotherapy. The comparisons were conducted with a multilevel piecewise model (LMLM) computed for three phases: pre-, during-, and post-therapy. Results: Significant interactions were found between the contrast comparing preexisting pharmacotherapy to the during-psychotherapy and no-pharmacotherapy groups and the three piecewise variables. The pre-therapy increase was larger for the preexisting-pharmacotherapy group than for the other groups. The during-therapy decrease was larger for the preexisting-pharmacotherapy group than for the other groups. In the post-therapy period, the increase was significant only for the prior–psychiatric-medication group. Conclusions: Preexisting psychotropic treatment along with an increase in healthcare expenditure may serve as an indication of the need for additional psychotherapy treatment.