[Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for youths with severe conduct disorders - economic evaluation of the implementation in a German-speaking environment].

OBJECTIVE: Multisystemic Therapy (MST) was adapted for implementation in a German-speaking environment. The study evaluates the possible economic effects of MST.

METHOD: Professionals who recommended MST for youths with severe conduct disorders were asked to evaluate the probability of other forms of interventions if MST had not been used. We investigated the costs of those other forms of treatment and compared them to the costs that had actually been incurred with MST.

RESULTS: Implementation of MST in a German-speaking environment showed a significant potential of cost savings compared to other intervention methods. The costs of MST per case were between 40 % and 64 % lower than these of standard interventions.

CONCLUSIONS: MST is not only an effective, but also a cost-efficient form of evidence-based treatment for youths with severe conduct disorders.