Training specialists to write appropriate reply letters to general practitioners about patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms; A cluster-randomized trial.

Abstract

Training specialists to write appropriate reply letters needs more focus on explanation and advice.

Education on medically unexplained symptoms: a systematic review with a focus on cultural diversity and migrants

“…In a multicenter cluster-randomized trial, the same research group evaluated the effects of a communication training for specialists on the quality of their reply letters to GPs about MUS patients. In an analysis of 478 MUS patients referred to 123 specialists, 80% of the physicians wrote at least one reply letter; in the assessment of 285 reply letters, trained physicians were more likely to report (61% vs 37%) and to answer (63 vs 33%) patient questions as compared to their untrained colleagues [ 27 ]. Training improved reply letters in addressing patient questions in contrast to GP’s referral questions, as is also documented in the mutual communication between specialists and GPs in general [ 28 ].…”

“…In contrast, explanation of MUS with perpetuating factors in the bio-psychosocial model and the procurement of advice to patient and GP were only present in 27–41% and 54–69% of the reply letters, respectively, and hence remained areas for improvement. The authors advocated to discuss referral and reply letters about MUS patients with experts, to learn about ways of improving the exchange of valid information in MUS care at the interface between primary and secondary care [ 27 ].…”

Health communication in science, teaching and clinical practice: Selected papers from the Amsterdam EACH 2014 Conference

“…Finally, Weiland et al [9] trained specialists to write appropriate reply letters to general practitioners about referred patients with medically unexplained symptoms. They identified eight key features of adequate reply letters.…”