Page 73 - JCBP-1-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics The psychosomatic digestive in China

Table 1. The organizations and hallmark events in the their attending doctor online through a mobile-health
development of psychosomatic digestive medicine in China app. If necessary, the staff can deliver medications to the
patients.
Year The organizations and hallmark events
2011 Establishment of an academic committee of psychosomatic Patients with FGID often underestimate the significance
digestive medicine under the Western Psychiatric Association of individual psychotherapy and do not seek psychological
in China help before being admitted to the ward. They tend to focus
2014 Establishment of a cooperation committee of psychosomatic on their gastrointestinal symptoms, spending considerable
medicine under the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) of time, money, and energy on medical examinations and
Gastroenterology consulting numerous gastroenterologists. However, they
2015 Publication of the book titled “Expert Opinions of Digestive are repeatedly informed that there are no organic diseases
Psychosomatic Health Problems in China” in their digestive systems and are prescribed medications
2016 Publication of the book titled “Theory and Practice on the to take home. These patients usually lack awareness of
Management of Mind-body Problems of Gastroenterology”
the emotional problems underlying their gastrointestinal
2017 Establishment of the Chinese Digestive Psychosomatic Union symptoms, resulting in prolonged symptoms. To address
(CDPU) this issue, in addition to the collaboration between
2021 Publication of the book titled “Foundation and Clinical psychiatrists and gastroenterologists, psychotherapists
Practice of Digestive Psychosomatic Disorder” in the ward provide individual psychotherapy and group
2021 Establishment of a psychosomatic digestive ward in Chengdu, psychotherapy for patients with FGID, which plays an
China
important role in their recovery. Psychotherapists arrange
initial psychological assessments for each patient and work
a p sychosomatic digestive ward comprised psychiatrists, together with psychiatrists to create a treatment plan for
gastroenterologists, psychotherapists, physiotherapists, individual and group psychotherapy.
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physiotherapists,
and nurses, forming an integrative treatment model of The consultation settings for individual psychotherapy are
psychosomatic medicine in Chengdu, China. once or twice a week for 1 h per session in a specific counseling
room. After being discharged from the ward, patients can
In a psychosomatic-digestive clinic, patients suffering make appointments for individual psychotherapy in the
from various digestive symptoms, potentially indicative clinic if needed. Initially, psychotherapists will establish a
of “functional gastrointestinal symptoms,” are advised reliable and safe counseling relationship with the patients and
for hospitalization in a psychosomatic-digestive ward. reach a consensus on the counseling goal. Psychotherapists
On admission, a series of medical tests, such as blood use various psychological techniques, such as cognitive-
tests, abdomen ultrasound or computer tomography behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, or humanism, to help
scan, and gastrointestinal endoscopy, are performed as patients identify psychosocial factors behind gastrointestinal
necessary to rule out organic disease. Psychiatrists and symptoms, explore their inner conflicts, recognize the
gastroenterologists collaborate and undergo extensive influence of their emotional problems on symptoms, and
training to exchange professional knowledge and skills, in discuss possible and proper ways to deal with their inner
the aspects of disease identification, diagnosis, differential conflicts and negative emotions.
diagnosis, and treatment. Working together, they gather Group psychotherapy is conducted every workday,
detailed medical history, conduct comprehensive physical typically lasting 1 – 1.5 h, with different themes and
examinations, and perform psychiatric interviews to topics for each session, such as disease education group,
determine appropriate drug selection and dose adjustment. perception of happiness group psychotherapy, emotional
Patients will receive extensive health education from both chessboard, somatic symptom group, mindfulness
psychiatrists and gastroenterologists, covering admission meditation group, emotion regulation group, and relaxation
and discharge instructions, medication side effects and group. During these sessions, patients learn to understand
precautions, the significance of various therapies, and basic the relationship between their gastrointestinal symptoms
knowledge and management of FGID. During daily ward and negative moods and gut-brain interactions and learn
rounds, doctors not only adjust medication doses but also the ways of expressing emotions properly and coping with
provide positive psychological support, which help patients stress. It is noteworthy that the perception of happiness
enhance adherence to treatment and rebuild confidence in group psychotherapy, an innovative psychotherapy first
their recovery. Finally, doctors formulate follow-up plans, introduced in the treatment of patients with FGID in
and patients receive follow-up phone calls from the ward, China, has proven successful in terms of its creativity and
visit outpatient clinics at regular intervals, and can contact effectiveness.

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.0961