Related Experiment Videos
Posttraumatic stress disorder: Often missed in primary care
1University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
The Journal of Family Practice
|October 10, 2017
Summary
A patient presented with persistent epigastric burning and unfounded fears of a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). Further investigation into the patient's psychological concerns alongside symptom management is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- A 47-year-old male patient experienced chronic epigastric burning for four months.
- He expressed persistent concern about a potential sexually-transmitted disease (STD) despite negative test results.
Observation:
- The patient's symptoms and sexual history remained consistent, except for the new onset of epigastric pain.
- Despite assurances, the patient fixated on the possibility of contracting an STD from a specific past event.
- The patient avoided direct discussion regarding the mode of STD transmission.
Findings:
- Prescribed ranitidine for epigastric burning.
- Repeatedly reassured the patient regarding negative STD test results.
- Identified a need to address the patient's psychological distress and unfounded STD fears.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of addressing patient-reported symptoms and psychological concerns in primary care.
- Suggests a need for further evaluation of health anxiety and potential somatization.
- Emphasizes the role of empathetic communication in managing patient fears and improving adherence to treatment.