Draft:German Network of Psychotherapists

German Network of Psychotherapists (Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk, DPNW)

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The ''German Network of Psychotherapists'' (German: Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk, DPNW) is a German professional association for psychotherapy.[1] According to its own information, it is the third largest psychotherapists' association in Germany with almost 2,300 members.[2]

The German Psychotherapists Network is a professional interest group with the function of a professional association. The organization is based in Bonn. It describes its task as being to “The aim of the association is to support psychotherapists in their day-to-day work. This also includes informing members about important legal changes or scientific findings. At the same time, the idea of networking is to be promoted. The professional interests of members are represented vis-à-vis all institutions that can influence or co-determine therapeutic work. The aim is to have a lasting positive influence on the public image of the profession” (Articles of Association § 3 -Purpose of the Association[3]). With its four-figure membership and an annual budget of around 200,000 euros[4], it contributes to opinion-forming in the legislative process as a lobbying representative registered in the lobby register of the German Bundestag.

Table of Contents

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  • History
  • Tasks and Objectives
  • Current Participation in Legislative Initiatives
  • Surveys
  • Organization
  • References
  • External Links

History

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At the invitation of Dieter Adler, 135 psychotherapists met in Bonn on 2 May 2019 to discuss the establishment of a (professional) organization. A constitution was drawn up at the first meeting[5]

The DPNW emerged from the Network of Colleagues Psychotherapy (German: Kollegennetzwerk Psychotherapie), which began its activities in June 2017. This network was preceded in turn by an initiative established in 2016 to advocate for fair compensation.[6]

Tasks and Objectives

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The DPNW serves as an advocacy group representing the interests of psychotherapists in Germany, engaging with political decision-makers and other relevant institutions. The association of psychotherapists aims primarily to ensure and improve the quality of psychotherapeutic care in Germany. The organization is characterized by a humanistic and grassroots democratic approach. It identifies itself as a solidary and complementary addition to existing interest groups in Germany’s healthcare sector.[7]

Current Participation in Legislative Initiatives

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The DPNW participates in the legislative process for new laws and regulations in the healthcare sector in Germany by providing statements and feedback. For example: Strengthening Health Care Provision Act (German: Gesundheitsversorgungsstärkungsgesetz).[8]

Surveys

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The DPNW periodically surveys its members on various issues relating to the profession. A survey from early 2021 revealed skepticism amongst psychotherapists and physicians regarding the electronic health record (German: Elektronische Patientenakte).[9] <ref>https://www.aerztezeitung.de/Wirtschaft/Aerzte-und-Therapeuten-geben-eigene-Daten-nur-ungern-in-die-ePA-419120.html</ref>

A survey on the new quality assurance procedure in psychotherapy (2022) found that 91 percent of respondents support maintaining the current expert review process, while 83 percent are opposed to the introduction of the planned patient survey system.[10]

This criticism was endorsed by Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU), Health Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, in April 2024.[11]

Organization

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According to the statutes, the bodies of the association are the general assembly and the board. At the founding meeting on May 2nd, 2019, the following were elected to the board: Chairman Dieter Adler (Bonn), Deputy Chair Claudia Reimer (Frielendorf), and Treasurer Robert Warzecha (Bonn).[12]

At the fourth general meeting on October 26th, 2023, Chairperson Dieter Adler and Deputy Chairperson Claudia Reimer were reaffirmed. Treasurer Robert Warzecha stepped down from his position. New to the board is the second Deputy Chair Sevgi Meddur-Gleissner.[13] The association’s highest body is the general assembly, which meets every two years.

References

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  1. ^ "Lobbyregistereintrag "Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk"". Lobbyregister beim Deutschen Bundestag (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  2. ^ "DPNW auf einen Blick | Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk". dpnw.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  3. ^ "Satzung und Beitragssatzung | Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk". dpnw.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  4. ^ "Lobbyregistereintrag "Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk"". Lobbyregister beim Deutschen Bundestag (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  5. ^ "5 Jahre DPNW | Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk". dpnw.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  6. ^ "Geschichte des Netzwerks | Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk". dpnw.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  7. ^ "DPNW auf einen Blick | Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk". dpnw.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  8. ^ "Gesundheitsversorgungsstärkungsgesetz (GVSG)". BMG (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  9. ^ Wallenfels, Matthias (2021-04-27). "Ärzte und Therapeuten geben eigene Daten nur ungern in die ePA". Aerztezeitung.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  10. ^ "Psychotherapeuten: Klares Nein zur Patientenbefragung als Qualitätssicherung". aerztezeitung.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  11. ^ Ärzteblatt, Deutscher Ärzteverlag GmbH (2024-04-11). "Psychotherapie: Laumann kritisiert Erprobung des Qualitätssicherungsverfahrens". Deutsches Ärzteblatt (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  12. ^ "Geschichte des Netzwerks | Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk". dpnw.de. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  13. ^ DPNW, Deutsches Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk- (2023-10-27). "Dieter Adler und Claudia Reimer als Vorstand im Deutschen Psychotherapeuten Netzwerk wiedergewählt - openPR". www.openpr.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
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