Persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) refer to physical symptoms like pain or fatigue that last more than three months, often without a clear cause. These symptoms can be part of various conditions, including functional disorders (FD) like fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome, or mental health issues like depression. Diagnosing and treating PSS/FD can be challenging due to fragmented healthcare systems, where patients may struggle to find proper care despite multiple investigations.
The thesis of Nicholas Mamo proposes a solution through collaborative care, where healthcare professionals from different fields work together in networks to provide coordinated care. The study explored various multidisciplinary care in countries like Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland, finding that communication and patient involvement in decision-making varied, as well as different experiences of patients and professionals. Key indicators of successful collaborative care include having a shared vision, effective communication, and patient-centered care.
Challenges like time constraints, fragmented communication, and lack of resources hinder effective collaboration. To address these, solutions such as care coordination, shared information platforms, and clear guidelines for collaboration were suggested. The research also emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation in collaborative care networks, providing a foundation for future work to enhance care for people with PSS/FD. Improvement of networks must take place involving experts-by-experience, and be grounded in the realities of the communities the services are based.
