A nationwide healthcare program for functional somatic disorders (FSD) in Denmark

Functional Somatic Disorders (FSD) are prevalent, costly for society and cause significant suffering for patients. The healthcare system has previously failed to provide adequate care for these patients, leading to prolonged and fragmented diagnostic processes. Major obstacles have been the lack of a clear classification of FSD and lack of prioritization of diagnosis and treatment of FSD by other medical specialties.

In 2018, the Danish Health Authority issued national recommendations to improve the quality of care for FSD nationwide across all levels of the healthcare system. The recommendations provide a framework to ensure evidence-based care.

As part of the Danish program, FSD is included in the Danish medical specialty planning. The first Danish specialist department for FSD was established in 1999, followed by an additional four departments in 2019. Furthermore, two highly specialized inpatient services have been established. The unified FSD diagnosis is included in the Danish ICD-10 under the "neutral" and nonspecific R chapter. A national clinical database "FuncData" has been established as well as a compulsory educational program for GPs in training for specialization.

The Danish national strategy for FSD has been successfully implemented and integrated into the Danish healthcare system, achieving organizational integration and high levels of patient and physician satisfaction. The program provides a comprehensive, accessible, and evidence-based framework for managing FSD through a stepped-care approach and may serve as an inspiration for implementation in other countries.