Multidisciplinary care approach for gut disorders associated with greater symptom improvement than standard care

Results of a new comparative effectiveness trial demonstrate that individuals with gut disorders who received a multidisciplinary care approach experienced greater symptom improvement compared with those who received standard, gastroenterologist-only care. Functional gastrointestinal disorders – such as irritable bowel syndrome – are fairly prevalent conditions responsible for substantial healthcare costs. Specialist care for individuals with gut disorders is commonly provided by gastroenterologists only, although many patients do not experience satisfactory symptom improvements and receive only minor relief for these from over-the-counter medications. Various behavioral and dietary therapies have been demonstrated to be effective for improving patients' gut disorder symptoms; despite...