title: [Practice guideline 'Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) and somatoform disorders': a step in the right direction].
abstract: The Dutch multidisciplinary practice guideline 'Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) and somatoform disorders' provides information on non-specific somatoform complaints, hypochondriasis, conversion disorders and a limited number of specific functional syndromes. Much attention is given in the guideline to the role of doctor-patient communication and empathy in the treatment of patients with somatoform complaints. Two points may be criticised. Firstly, an undesirable side-effect of the Dutch nomenclature of unexplained symptoms is that it implies a duality of body and mind. Secondly, the value of screening for depression or an anxiety disorder as a secondary step in primary care is doubtful.
authors.affiliation: Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Medisch Centrum, afd. Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. p.lucassen1@chello.nl
authors.forename: Peter L B J
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lucassen
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology