Primary Care Perspectives: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder - Episode 147

Primary Care Perspectives: Podcast for Pediatricians

Somatic symptoms are real; we all experience them. One Canadian study found that somatic complaints account for more than 25% of all primary care visits. Samuel Neher, MD, pediatric hospitalist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, introduces a new clinical pathway for Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder (SSRD) that suggests a standard of care for these symptoms. Goals are to build empathetic rapport with patients and families; encourage somatic symptom treatment alongside diagnostic testing; and promote strong communication and collaboration among the interdisciplinary care team.