title: [Basic psychosomatic care in ophthalmology. Relevance, training and case examples].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of psychosomatic disorders and their impact on society are increasing. Many patients suffer from psychosomatic symptoms. Medical studies and most notably medical training for ophthalmologists do not sufficiently cover these topics and do not adequately prepare doctors for dealing with patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Training in basic psychosomatic care can be absolved by all physicians irrespective of specialization. The structure, benefits and importance of this professional training are explained.
  
  
  METHODS
  The curriculum of the German Medical Association forms the basis of training in basic psychosomatic care. The personal experiences of the authors after completing the training as well as case studies are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training in basic psychosomatic care conveys practical skills for dealing with patients with psychosomatic symptoms, which are often not acquired during medical training for ophthalmologists, where technical procedures predominate. Thus the professional ability is broadened with an immediate positive effect not only on the physician-patient relationship but also on the professional and private environment. Training in basic psychosomatic care should be obligatory in the specialist training of ophthalmologists.
authors.affiliation: Augenzentrum Niendorf, Nordalbinger Weg 25, 22455, Hamburg, Deutschland. dr.brumm@augen-hamburg.de.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brumm
authors.affiliation: , Sophienblatt 13-17, 24103, Kiel, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schnell
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011611:Psychosomatic Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods
keywords: Dry eye syndromes; Education, medical, continuing; Intraocular pressure; Psychosomatic disorders; Tears