Managing patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders is one of the most challenging areas of medicine. Although diagnosis is typically achieved using the Rome Criteria, treatment depend on the patient’s report of symptom response. But what is the most effective way to use this patient-reported information to determine the best treatment approach?

In a recent ACG-Rome Foundation webinar, my colleagues, Dr. Lin Chang and Dr. William Chey, and I discuss why FGIDs are biopsychosocial disorders, present an overview of a more comprehensive approach to treating patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, and explain how the Multi-Dimensional Clinical Profile (MDCP) can help you address the full spectrum of treatment options available to help your patients.

Access the MDCP webinar now via the Rome Foundation site

ACG members can also access the MDCP webinar via the GI Circle, where the panelists and I  answer audience questions.

What is the Multi-Dimensional Clinical Profile?

The MDCP is a unique learning tool for students, practitioners in gastroenterology and primary care, health care extenders, or anyone who treats patients with FGIDs. After completion of these case exercises, the reader will be well prepared to address the full spectrum of treatment options available to help our patients.

A challenging area of gastroenterology and medicine relates to the management of patients with functional GI disorders (FGIDs). Diagnosis is accomplished using the symptom based Rome criteria. However with treatment, we must also rely on patient reports of symptom response. The FGIDs are truly biopsychosocial disorders because these symptoms are influenced by several factors (diagnostic criteria and clinical modifiers, the impact of the illness, and psychosocial and physiological influences) that in concert characterize the unique profile of the patient’s clinical status. This profile determines the specific methods of treatment, from a patient with infrequent and mild IBS-D to one with IBS-C having severe pain, emotional distress and physiological disturbance.

We have gathered the world’s leading experts to create an intuitive learning model that incorporates how good clinicians approach treatment of these disorders. The key factors are organized into a simple and logical 5-component framework. Using this information, we provide a treatment plan uniquely targeted to the patient. This is demonstrated with over 30 clinical cases that cover the full spectrum of the FGIDs, from mild to severe.

MDCP Slide Set
As a companion to the MDCP book, we now offer a slide set which can be used for presentation at conferences and quick self-learning. This slide set provides the 32 case histories as in the book, the MDCP categories and treatments. This set can be purchased individually or bundled with the book for a discount.

To purchase the MDCP book and/or slide set, click here
The Rome Foundation created a Primer to the MDCP book which contains more information about the MDCP as well as three cases studies. To download the Primer click here

 

About the Panelists
Moderator:
Douglas A. Drossman, MD, MACG

President, Rome Foundation
President, Drossman Center for the Education and Practice of Biopsychosocial Care LLC
Professor Emeritusof Medicine and Psychiatry,
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Former Co-Director, UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders

Panelists
Lin Chang, MD, FACG
Professor of Medicine
Co-Director, Center for Neurobiology of Stress
Division of Digestive Diseases
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

 

William D. Chey. MD, FACG
Professor of Medicine
Director, GI Physiology Laboratory
Director, Michigan Bowel Control Program
Division of Gastroenterology
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, MI