Mental and psychosomatic disorders have made a significant contribution to the loss of labour and production output at the company in recent years. In view of the expected future increase in this type of morbidity, a “psychosomatic consultation clinic” was set up at the Mercedes-Benz plants in Stuttgart and Sindelfingen in a cooperative project between Daimler AG and a psychosomatic clinic in Stuttgart. The company doctors refer patients with noticeable psychosomatic disorders who are at risk of becoming unable or who are already unable to work to a specialist at this consultation clinic in order to clarify their situation and, if applicable, arrive at a diagnosis and indication for therapy through psychosomatic consultation and extensive follow-up. This is carried out in strict conformity with the principle of medical confidentiality. During the cooperation, which is now in its fifth year, the consultation clinic has been visited by over 100 Daimler AG employees whose response to this service has been consistently positive. In addition, a “psychosomatic primary care” curriculum has been developed, the contents of which cover the obligations of medical associations and wide-ranging issues being faced by occupational physicians in everyday practice from a psychosomatic perspective.
