title: Open Trial of Integrated Primary Care Consultation for Medically Unexplained Symptoms.
abstract: Within primary care settings, patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common, often present with comorbid psychopathology, and have high rates of healthcare utilization. Despite increased healthcare utilization, these patients often have poor outcomes that frustrate patients and providers alike. A behavioral consultation intervention for primary care patients with MUS (n = 10) was developed and assessed. All participants completed all intervention and assessment sessions and rated the intervention favorably. Participants self-report scores revealed statistically significant improvements from baseline to 3-month follow-up on physical functioning, mental functioning, and physical symptoms. Notwithstanding the limitations of open trial designs, these findings demonstrate high feasibility for a behavioral health consultation treatment model for patients with MUS and highlight the need for further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13199 E. Montview Blvd., Suite 330, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. samuel.hubley@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7188-6003
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hubley
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.|Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.|Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Uebelacker
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.|Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.|Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Eaton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000071896:Medically Unexplained Symptoms; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D057566:Self Report; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Behavioral Health; Case Conceptualization; Collaborative Care; Consultation Session; Medically Unexplained Symptom