Encounters between medical specialists and patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms; influences of communication on patient outcomes and use of health care: a literature overview Anne WeilandRianne E. Van de KraatsAnnette H. Blankenstein • Jan L. C. M. Van SaaseHenk T. Van der MolenWichor M. Bramer • Alexandra M. Van DulmenLidia R. Arends

AbstractMedically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) burden patients and healthservices due to large quantities of consultations and medical interventions. The aimof this study is to determine which elements of communication in non-psychiatricspecialist MUPS care influence health outcomes. Systematic search in PubMed, A. Weiland (&)Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040,3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlandsemail: info@anneweiland.nlA. WeilandFaculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam,Rotterdam, the NetherlandsR. E. Van de KraatsDepartment of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the NetherlandsA. H. BlankensteinDepartment of General Practice & Elderly Care Medicine,VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsJ. L. C. M. Van SaaseDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center,Rotterdam, the NetherlandsH. T. Van der MolenFaculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam,Rotterdam, the NetherlandsW. M. BramerMedical Library, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsA. M. Van DulmenNetherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, the Netherlands