Innovative reflecting interview: effect on high-utilizing patients with medically unexplained symptoms

This pilot study was conducted to determine the effect of an innovative reflecting interview on the health care utilization, physical health, mental function, and health care satisfaction of high-utilizing primary care patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms. Twenty-four high-utilizing patients met study selection criteria and were randomly assigned to a no-intervention control group or a reflecting interview intervention group. Outcomes were measured at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after the date of study enrollment. Results indicated that high-utilizing patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms who participated in a reflecting interview had reduced total health care costs, primarily through the reduction of hospitalization or inpatient expenses, despite a modest increase in outpatient primary care clinic visits. These data suggest that participation in a reflecting interview and regular visits with a primary care clinician can decrease health care utilization without adversely affecting patient satisfaction.