Jochen Gensichen Elected to the Leopoldina: Recognition for Research into Primary Care for Mental Health Conditions

Research at the Intersection of General Practice and Mental Health

Mental health conditions are frequently first identified and treated in general practice. At the same time, the diagnostic and therapeutic options available within the tightly scheduled routine of a primary care practice are limited. For many years, Jochen Gensichen has therefore investigated ways of sustainably improving care for people with mental health conditions as well as chronic and multimorbid illnesses.

A defining feature of his work is the close integration of scientific evidence and clinical practice. Drawing on clinical-epidemiological studies, intervention research and health-economic analyses, his team develops models of care that can be directly translated into everyday primary care. At the heart of this work is the concept of Collaborative Care, which integrates general practice with psychotherapeutic, specialist medical and nursing expertise. The aim is to provide coordinated, patient-centred care that addresses physical and mental health on an equal footing.

Transdiagnostic Care in Primary Care

Jochen Gensichen is also pursuing this line of research within the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG). At the DZPG Munich-Augsburg partner site, he leads the STARC (STructured, first-Aid geneRic, psychologiCal interventions) project. The project is developing and evaluating an evidence-based transdiagnostic first-line intervention for people with mental health conditions in primary care.

Unlike conventional treatment approaches, the transdiagnostic intervention does not focus on individual diagnoses, but rather on symptoms and burdens that occur across different disorders. The aim is to provide general practitioners with a scientifically grounded tool that enables them to offer effective support to patients at an early stage.

Research with Strong Translational Impact

Gensichen’s election to the Leopoldina recognises his longstanding scientific commitment to improving healthcare. His work brings together different disciplines and contributes to translating new scientific findings into medical practice.

Source: Press release from LMU University Hospital Munich