Medically unexplained symptoms in secondary care

摘要

The efficient use of medical resources is important, so the findings of Reid et al in this issue (p 767) are timely, highlighting the previously undocumented number of frequent attenders at secondary care consultations with medically unexplained symptoms. However, this study raises concerns other than economic ones: there appear to be large numbers of patients whose frequent attendance suggests distress that is neither appropriately identified or addressed.