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Explaining the unexplainable - crafting explanatory frameworks for medically unexplained symptoms.

¹Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. louise.stone@gpet.com.au

Australian Family Physician

|June 10, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

General practitioners (GPs) face challenges managing patients with multiple medically unexplained symptoms. This framework offers GPs strategies for explaining these conditions and providing supportive care, emphasizing acknowledgment over immediate problem-solving.

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Area of Science:

General Practice
Psychosomatic Medicine
Patient Communication

Background:

Multiple medically unexplained symptoms are prevalent in general practice.
Comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and psychosocial stressors are frequent.
Balancing organic cause exclusion with over-investigation is a clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide general practitioners (GPs) with a framework for explaining medically unexplained symptoms.
To guide GPs in communicating effectively with patients experiencing these symptoms.

Main Methods:

The article reviews explanatory models for medically unexplained symptoms.
It suggests communication techniques including reassurance, somatisation, and narrative approaches.
It discusses the role of supportive care and acknowledging patient suffering.

Main Results:

An adequate explanation is crucial for managing patients with unexplained symptoms.
Various explanatory models can be employed by GPs.
Supportive care and acknowledging suffering are key management strategies.

Conclusions:

GPs can utilize reassurance, somatisation, and narrative techniques for explanation.
Referral to other health professionals may be necessary for specific issues.
Supportive care, acknowledging suffering, and validating the patient's experience are vital, especially when a clear diagnosis is absent.