An organizational concept for the integration of the psychosomatic approach into routine patient care on a general medical ward is proposed. Introduction of ward conferences, nurses interview with the newly admitted patients, patient group meetings as well as reorganization of the ward round and nurses’ postgraduate training serve the purpose of enabling the ward staff to recognize and deal with psychosocial aspects of medical illness. This setting has proved to facilitate supportive psychotherapeutic measures in the care of the fatally ill.