Purpose: This study was aimed to develop a comprehensive treatment module that the general physician can use to manage patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS) at a primary care level. Methods: This comprehensive module was developed after a literature review followed by its validation by a two-step Delphi technique with experts from internal medicine, psychiatry, and clinical psychology.
Results: The developed module for the patients with MUPS includes case diagnosis, initial evaluation, strategy for referral, and a comprehensive treatment module. The comprehensive treatment module includes symptom discussion, rapport establishment, physical health counselling, stress management, cognitive strategies for symptom control, comorbidities treatment, and medical management. Conclusion: The developed module has unique features, such as intensive sessions with these patients, a patient-specific treatment strategy, and a holistic approach incorporating pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. General Practitioners across the world can use this comprehensive treatment module for the management of patients with MUPS.
Keywords: approach; management; medically unexplained physical symptoms; mups; mus; somatization disorder; somatoform disorders.
Copyright © 2021, Goel et al.