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Objective: To identify and prioritize research questions about treatment and care of depression which are relevant to patients, carers and clinicians. The importance of involvement of those stakeholder groups in health services research is increasingly recognized internationally., Methods: Research topics were collected in an online survey using unipark software. Patients, carers and clinicians wrote down research topics, i. e. uncertainties they experienced when dealing with depression. The stated research topics were summarized by the authors to generate research questions. Patients, carers and clinicians rated the importance of the identified research questions using a 7 point likert-scale in a further online-survey., Results: Respondents rated research questions with regard to accessibility and organization of care as especially relevant. A research question regarding the effectiveness of self-help and coping-strategies was rated as most important. Further relevant research questions refer to decide on and find effective therapy., Conclusion: According to patients, carers and clinicians more research about self-help and access to treatment should be conducted., Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The concept of adaptation and quality of life has gained central importance in the research on chronically ill patients and their rehabilitation. This contribution examines the impact of psychological and behavioural factors on the quality of life and coping processes in two groups of chronically ill patients (i.e., n = 48 myocardial infarction survivors, and n = 48 patients with liver diseases). Coping responses and quality of life were measured using Janke et al.'s stress coping questionnaire SVF (1985), while other variables (psychosocial stress and social support) were determined by a variety of self-report data, test measures (von Zerssen's emotional state scale, 1976), as well as interview data, with repeat data compilation after three years (longitudinal study). Significant differences were found for each of the patient groups. Effectiveness of coping appeared to be negatively linked with frequent use of "avoidance", "denial", and "resignation" in patients with psychosocial strain and lack of information. The choice of coping strategy seems to be multi-determined and is related to illness state and sex, with changes occurring over time. The knowledge of coping strategy preferences is highly relevant for the relationship between physician and patient as well as for the process of rehabilitation.

The concept of coping has gained a central importance in research on chronic disease. Underlying methodological aspects are briefly reviewed. This study examined the psychological and behavioral correlates of major coping strategies used by medically ill patients in dealing with their illness (N = 48 patients with myocardial infarction and 48 patients with liver-complaints) during the rehabilitation. Coping response was measured by the "Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen" by Janke et al. (1985), while other variables (psycho-social factors) were tapped by a variety of self-report, test measures (Zerssen-Scale-1976-for emotional state) as well as by interview data in a time of three years (longitudinal study). Significant differences were found for each of the patient-groups. Effectiveness of coping appeared to be negatively linked to frequent use of "avoidance" and "resignation" in patients with psycho-social strain. The choice of a specific coping strategy is most likely multidetermined and depends of the connection with illness-state and is changed over time. The knowledge of coping strategy preferences has a very important function for the relationship between physician and patient and process of rehabilitation.