Objectives of Training in Psychosomatic Medicine in Primary Care

Abstract

The aim of psychosomatic primary care is to overcome the dualism in medicine and health care by making overall diagnoses. Physical and psychological symptoms, as well as subjective experience and its processing, are described in the context of present and past relationship experiences and, above all, in the current doctor-patient contact where their significance for the current symptoms is assessed. The basis of this process is a trusting and empathic doctor-patient relationship. Further goals of the basic therapy are solution-oriented problem clarification, help in overcoming life crises, specific treatment for various psychological disorders including psychopharmacotherapy, and preparation and initiation of further psychotherapeutic treatment in an inpatient or outpatient facility. The three targeted skills of psychosomatic medicine in primary care are:

• 1. Recognition of mental disorders. 

• 2. Basic interventions. 

• 3. Collaboration with mental health specialists.