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Medical researchers estimate that between 50% and 80% of adult primary care visits are for somatic symptoms and in at least one third of these somatic symptoms, no organic or psychiatric basis can be found. Somatization which is the association of medically unexplained somatic symptoms with psychological distress and health-seeking behavior is present in at least 10-15% of primary care patients and together with depression and anxiety constitute the three most common psychiatric problems seen in primary care. This course is designed to review characteristics of those patients suffering from somatization and their impact on our health care system. New ideas regarding approaches to improving the effectiveness of behavioral change will be presented. These ideas have been integrated into the Personal Health Improvement Program (PHIP), an innovative learning program that was developed through collaboration between primary care and behavioral health clinicians to address the needs of primary care patients who suffer from such emotional and stress-related somatic complaints. The evidence-basis for PHIP as one of the few programs that have sustained effectiveness in this population of patients will be presented. PRESENTER BIO Dr. Carl Isihara, M.D Carl Isihara, M.D., Ph.D. has a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Yale University, a Ph.D. in Micro and Molecular Biology from Case Western Reserve University, and his M.D. Degree from the intensive 2 year Ph.D. to M.D. Program from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and completed his training in Internal Medicine with additional clinical training in Preventive Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Isihara began his clinical career in 1986 with the Physicians Group which was initially part of the Harvard Community Health Plan which currently exists independently as Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Harvard Vanguard, which is a major teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School, has consistently ranked as one of the leading health care organizations in the United States. Dr. Isihara was an original member of the Behavioral Medicine Department founded by Dr. Matthew Budd who pioneered the development of the “Ways to Wellness” course which currently exists as the Personal Health Improvement Program. Dr. Isihara has long-standing interests in learning, quality improvement and organizational development and is Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School. Dr. Isihara has direct, management experience as Chief of his Internal Medicine Department for 8 years, and currently has over 10 years of involvement in governance and strategic planning as a Trustee and Founding Member on the Board of Directors of both Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and HealthOne Care Systems. HealthOne is a leader in redesigning the office practice of patient care through its electronic integration across the medical practices of its 5 leading multi-specialty practices in the greater Boston area. He also currently chairs Harvard Vanguard’s Patient Care Assessment and Quality Committee.
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