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Patient Heal Thyself: Engaging in a Team Approach

  • Pelvic Pain (C Payne and J Potts, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a chronic condition for which conventional treatment is highly individualistic, may have a limited effect if any, and is often a question of trial and error. The impact on the patient’s life is far-reaching and often greatly underestimated. The limitations of effectiveness, availability, reimbursement and affordability of conventional treatments mean that desperate patients actively seek alternative solutions, with or without professional guidance. Emotional support, empathy and understanding as well as practical support are needed from all players in the equation: the family doctor, the specialist, the physiotherapist, the patient’s family and partner and the patient support group, with the patient also being encouraged to play as active a role as possible in self-care in coordination with the health professionals. However, the patient is more often confronted with hopelessness and negativity. This can greatly affect the outcome of any therapy.

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Conflict of Interest

Jane Meijlink declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Painful Bladder Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Jane M. Meijlink

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  1. Jane M. Meijlink
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Correspondence to Jane M. Meijlink.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pelvic Pain

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Meijlink, J.M. Patient Heal Thyself: Engaging in a Team Approach. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 10, 103–108 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-014-0283-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-014-0283-2

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