Patient centered approach in the management of medically unexplained symptoms in primary care setting

Abstract

The management of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) can be very daunting and frustrating in a primary care setting. The purpose of our writing is to review and come up with up to date published evidence that will guide family physicians and other primary care physicians working in a culturally diverse and challenging environment, in the care and treatment of MUS.

We therefore searched for literatures on the care and treatment of MUS as it relates to primary care. We have organised this paper in a manner that the primary care physician can understand based on the relevance to primary care.

We have also written a description of the existing gaps based on the literatures reviewed and the clinical experience of the authors.

We concluded the review by summarizing what needs to be done by the primary care physician in order to develop a personalized approach to the management of MUS in the primary care setting.

Keywords: medically unexplained symptoms, Primary care, collaborative care