Wednesday 1st May 2024
Medically Unexplained Symptoms
A multidisciplinary conference addressing the challenges of medically unexplained symptoms (CPD applied for)
Breaking the cycle of tests, referrals and unsuccessful treatments
Trying to help people with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) is challenging.
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This remains a widely ignored and under-researched topic despite the large number of affected individuals and huge sums of wasted money and resources. Healthcare professionals feel frustrated whilst patients feel lost, overlooked, and forgotten in the health system. Without a clear diagnosis, sufferers often find themselves in a cycle of tests, referrals, and unsuccessful treatments without achieving a resolution of their problems. Many experience mental health problems.
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These problems were recently discussed during an intensive 1-day conference at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine.
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An opinion piece by Dr. Tessa Richards summarising some of the topics subsequently appeared in the BMJ.
https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/385/bmj.q1210.full.pdf
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Conference report
We are pleased to share the report from our conference, "Medically Unexplained Symptoms: A Multidisciplinary Conference – Addressing the Challenges of Medically Unexplained Symptoms." This event brought together experts from various fields to explore the complexities of MUS, discuss innovative approaches, and highlight the need for improved patient care. The report captures key discussions, insights, and recommendations from the conference. You can access the full PDF below:
What is this all about?
We invite you to a ground-breaking conference aimed at tackling the challenges posed by individuals experiencing chronic medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), persistent physical symptoms, or those diagnosed with a somatic disorder. These issues represent a significant burden for patients, healthcare professionals and society. Those affected often experience cycles of endless tests, referrals, and treatments that typically fail to provide a resolution. Money and resources are wasted, and some experience a deterioration in their mental wellbeing.
Who is behind this event?
Organised in collaboration with Dr Jay Verma and Jeshni Amblum-Almer, the current and immediate past presidents of the Royal Society of Medicine GP and Primary Care Section, and Dr Adrian Tookman (former clinical director, Marie Curie), chair of the ‘Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases’ charity. This event promises a day filled with insightful discussions led by expert speakers.
​1. THE PROBLEM WITH MUS (Chaired by Jeshni Amblum-Almer)
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The patient's experiences. Watch here
Christianne Forrest and Katia Chrysostomou (Patient representatives, FPOD)
The doctors experiences of MUS. Watch here
Dr Jay Verma (President of the General Practice and Primary Care Section, Royal Society of Medicine [RSM]; GP Partner, Shakespeare Health Centre, Hayes, West London)
MUS in A&E - is the picture different from primary care? Watch here
Dr Jon Matthews (A&E Consultant, St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London)
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Where does the consultation go wrong? Watch here
Prof Graham Easton (Professor of Clinical Communication, Academic GP and Broadcaster, Queen Mary University, London)
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2. EXPLORING SOLUTIONS (Chaired by Dr Jay Verma)
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Ethical considerations in MUS and equity of access; what needs to change? Watch here
Chantal Patel (Head of interprofessional studies, Swansea University)
Dr Kiran Jani (Trustees, UK Clinical Ethics Network)
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The importance of clinicians exploring doubt with MUS. Watch here
Dr Adrian Tookman (Chair, Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases charity [FPOD])
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‘But, Is it all in the mind’ – views of a specialist psychiatrist. Watch here
Dr Muj Husain (Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist and Co-Clinical Director, Persistent Physical Symptom Unit, South London and Maudsley Hospital, London)
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Is genetic testing the answer? Should everyone with MUS undergo genetic testing? Watch here
Prof. Julian Barwell (Clinical Geneticist, Academic Champion and Honorary Professor in Cancer studies, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology at the university of Leicester)
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AI and MUS – Dr GPT will see you now. Watch here
Dr Keith Grimes (GP and AI in healthcare expert; founder and consultant, Curistica Ltd)​
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3. LEARNING FROM OTHERS (chaired by Dr Adrian Tookman)
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Good medicine has much to offer – Practical tips for individuals, families, and HCPs. Watch here
Dr Jay Verma (RSM) and others
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Current support and research in the UK and EU. Watch here
Prof. Chris Burton (Professor of Primary Medical Care, School of Medicine & Population health, University of Sheffield)
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​Supportive therapies, innovative approaches and thinking out of the box
Dr Minha Rajput-Ray (Integrated medicine physician, Curaidh Clinic, Dundee, Scotland). Watch here
Dr Francis Kynaston-Pearson (Consultant rheumatologist, Nottingham and Derby). Watch here
Dr Sanjay Gupta (Consultant Cardiologist, York Teaching Hospitals). Watch here
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