The Problem Patient

Evaluation and Care of Medical Patients with Psychosocial Disturbances

  1. DOUGLAS A. DROSSMAN, M.D.
  1. Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    Abstract

    The physician often finds that certain patients are poorly responsive to usual methods of therapy, especially those with somatic symptoms in whom psychosocial factors are a major, if not the sole, determinant of the illness. To care for such patients one must understand their illness as the product of mutually interacting biologic, psychologic, and sociologic determinants. Guidelines for evaluation and treatment using this more comprehensive approach are presented.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine; Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Douglas A. Drossman, M.D.; Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Room 324, Clinical Sciences Building, 229H, University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

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