Sivik T
Department of Primary Health Care, University of Göteborg-Sweden, Frölunda, Gothenburg.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1992 Nov;14(6):375-9. doi: 10.1016/0163-8343(92)90004-t.
Two interrelated studies are reported. One reports the results of a questionnaire interview with a reference group of 51 general practitioners. The respondents express a considerable dissatisfaction with their previous medical training as it concerns their knowledge of the psychosomatic medical paradigm. The other study evaluates the effects of a 5-year education program concerning psychodynamic theories and an integrative psychosomatic approach to treatment. Six general practitioners participated in this educational program, which included both theoretical seminars and practical training in psychotherapy (under supervision) with patients suffering from chronic idiopathic pain syndrome. All the participants reported developing substantial skill in treating such patients and in handling other kinds of patients with multifactorial etiology of symptoms. The participants of the training program did not initially differ from the larger reference group as to the previous knowledge and practice in integrative psychosomatic medicine, and it may be concluded that many physicians would profit from such post-graduate training. The self-reports of all these experienced physicians also indicate that there is too little theory and practice of the psychesoma interaction in the basic medical education.
