Presenters
- Cynthia Stone, DBH, Director of Behavioral Health, Community Care Physicians, Latham, NY
- David Clarke, MD, President, Psychophysiologic Disorders Association; Assistant Director at the Center for Ethics and Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus both at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR
- Kristine Campagna, DO, Physician, Latham Medical Group-Community Care Physician, Latham, NY
- Holly Cleney, MD, Family Physician, Community Care Physicians, Latham, NY
- Elizabeth Locke, MD, Managing Physician, Community Care Physicians, Latham, NY
- Lesley Manson, PsyD, Assistant Chair of Integrated Initiatives, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Summary
Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common in primary care, occurring in approximately 30% of patients (Clarke, 2016). Finding new ways to treat these patient in integrated primary care is paramount. This study involves patients of the practice diagnosed with MUS and chronic pain and the use of an evidence-based application (App) added to the current treatment protocol. Data collected on this App named Curable reports that 70% of Curable users experience some degree of physical pain relief within the first thirty days of use (curable.com, 2019). Additional benefits of this study are linked to developing practical skills essential to enhancing team-based care, furthering inter-professional training, and building new ways to use technology to support integrated practices.
Workshop Downloads
Objectives
- Identify potential benefits of using Curable in the treatment in primary care of MUS patients leading to improved physician-patient care, reduced physician stress, enhanced patient satisfaction, reduced cost of care and improved.
- Describe key components of the intervention using Curable in the treatment of MUS patients.
- Understand how the treatment of MUS patients in primary care supports the quadruple aim.
References
- Barsky, A. J., Orav, E. J., & Bates, D. W. (2005). Somatization increases medical utilization and costs independent of psychiatric and medical comorbidity. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62, 903-910. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.8 .903
- Clarke, D. D. (2007). They can’t find anything wrong! 7 keys to understanding, treating, and healing stress illness. Boulder, CO: Sentient Publications.
- Clarke, D. D. (2016). Diagnosis and treatment of medically unexplained symptoms and chronic functional syndromes. Families, Systems, & Health, 34(4), 309.
- Escobar, J. I., Gara, M. A., Diaz-Martinez, A. M., Interian, A., Warman, M., Allen, L. A., . . . Rodgers, D. (2007). Effectiveness of a time-limited cognitive behavior therapy type intervention among primary care patients with medically unexplained symptoms. Annals of Family Medicine, 5, 328-335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1370/afm.702
- Rosser, B. A., & Eccleston, C. (2011). Smartphone applications for pain management. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 17(6), 308-312. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2011.101102
