Somatization and medicalization in the era of managed care

Article Abstract:

The trend toward managed care may allow physicians to better deal with somatizing patients. These are people who have symptoms that cannot be attributed to a medical cause. Studies have shown that no medical diagnosis can be made in 25% to 50% of all visits to a primary care physician. These patients tend to use more health care resources and often go from doctor to doctor seeking someone who will diagnose their condition. Society fosters somatization by trying to make a disease out of certain symptoms, a condition known as medicalization. Managed care could identify such patients more quickly because most people will have a single primary care physician. These physicians could teach their patients that not every symptom is a disease and that some conditions are self-limited.

Health aspects, Managed care plans (Medical care)

---

Functional Somatic Syndromes

Article Abstract:

Functional somatic syndromes are conditions in which symptoms, disabilities, and suffering predominate, without any clear physiological abnormality. Chronic fatigue syndrome, sick building syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, Gulf War syndrome, and other conditions exemplify this category of disease. Patients believe they are seriously ill, they expect to get worse, they embrace the role of "sick person", and they portray their ailment as profoundly disabling. Although some patients may have underlying organic disease, the sensationalized coverage of these conditions by the media reinforce a catastrophic attitude about functional organic syndromes. Patients commonly have higher rates of psychiatric disorders than the general population.

United States, Psychophysiologic disorders, Psychosomatic disorders

---

A 37-year-old man with multiple somatic complaints

Article Abstract:

Many physicians may be frustrated in caring for patients who have a condition called somatization. This means that they have symptoms that have no apparent physical cause. Forty to sixty percent of patients who see a primary care physician have somatization and 30% to 75% of all symptoms have no physical cause. Many people with somatization actually have an underlying psychiatric disorder such as depression, anxiety of substance abuse. Since the physician cannot treat the symptoms, the best management is to teach the patient how to cope with them. It is important to take patients' concerns seriously.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: States cautious of jumping into Medicaid managed care. HMO growth tied to consumer service. Can HMOs afford to open door to shut-out specialists?
• Abstracts: Bound and gagged: AMA: unethical managed care rules stifle communication. Ethics, fertility groups consider regulatory options
• Abstracts: Care teams - a practical approach to managed care. I know you think you know what I thought I said, but.... Taking your practice to new organizational heights
• Abstracts: Prospective study of serum CA-125 levels as markers of ovarian cancer. Serum gonadotropins and steroid hormones and the development of ovarian cancer

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.