[Acceptance of dual rehabilitation from rehabilitants' perspectives: results of qualitative interviews].

Dual rehabilitation (dR) of patients with physical and mental illnesses comprises equal care and cooperation between two specialist departments. As part of the multi-method project that aimed to evaluate dR in different indications (DUAL), we explored the acceptance from the rehabilitants' perspective.We conducted 36 semi-structured interviews with rehabilitants of different indications (psycho-gastroenterology, -dermatology, -orthopedics, -diabetology, -cardiology, -pneumology). Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Knowledge and access, expectations, experiences, and subjective benefits were explored as indicators for acceptance.Rehabilitants reported appropriate expectations such as improvement of mental and physical complaints or open expectations. Cross-departmental aspects such as admission and ward rounds were experienced as beneficial if there was sufficient exchange and cooperation between specialist departments. In individual psychotherapeutic consultations and groups, an improved understanding of both disorders and contact with fellow patients were important which also had a positive effect outside therapies. The multimodality of the dR was perceived to be beneficial just as the therapists' behavior and offers for counseling on both diseases. Hindering experiences included a lack of interdisciplinarity/coordination between the specialist areas, a lack of individualization in therapy planning and structural aspects in almost all areas. Subjective benefits were improved self-management and symptoms of both illnesses, as well as occupational performance.Appropriate expectations, beneficial experiences with the multimodal therapy components, therapists, and fellow patients as well as perceived positive effects support rehabilitants' satisfaction and indicate a high level of acceptance. Hindering experiences and modification requests suggest ways for overcoming obstacles, for example, by increasing interdisciplinarity and cooperation between the specialist departments. Providing sufficient information and knowledge about dR available to practitioners and patients can further support acceptance and patient participation.