INFORM: A Pediatrician's Communication Curriculum About Diagnostic Conversations in Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, 2025, Lambert-Fliszar et al

[Andy]

Abstract​

Introduction: Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs) is an umbrella term for physical symptoms related to or amplified by psychosocial factors. Clinicians find difficulty in delivering SSRD diagnoses to families. Caregiver buy-in of an SSRD diagnosis is strongly associated with better outcomes. Curricula addressing gaps in this communication skill are lacking, indicating a need for effective educational innovations to increase pediatricians' confidence and efficacy in SSRD diagnostic conversations with caregivers.

Methods: A 90-minute curriculum composed of didactic and experiential components, including role-play, was designed using Kern's six steps to curriculum development and the INFORM framework (Introduce, Name and Narrate, Feedback, Orient to diagnosis, Reframe, Management principles). We evaluated and improved the curriculum over multiple iterations using the CIPP (Context-Input-Process-Product) model, in which acceptability and feasibility data were collected from participants via quantitative surveys. These surveys also assessed attainment of educational objectives.

Results: A total of 85 responses (of 97 total participants; 88%) were obtained from pediatric residents, pediatric hospital medicine fellows, and pediatric hospitalist attendings. Based on survey responses to two of three true/false questions, participants demonstrated significantly improved knowledge postcurriculum. The proportion of learners reporting feeling confident in SSRD diagnostic conversations increased, from 32% before to 86% after the curriculum. A total of 95% of respondents would recommend this curriculum to a colleague, and 98% reported they would use their skills in future clinical practice.

Discussion: We created a novel, well-received SSRD diagnostic communication curriculum via an iterative process, with demonstration of achieved educational objectives.

Open access

 

[Sean]

Just another 'How to better lie to patients (and ourselves)' marketing product.

 

[Trish]

I can't help feeling if doctors need training in how to communicate with patients about this specific situation, unlike other situations, then that communication must involve them learning how to tell lies convincingly.

Learning how to say stuff they don't actually believe is true, but is expedient for the doctor as it will put the onus on the patient and their family to deal with the problem, and stop bothering the doctor.

 

[Utsikt]

I can't help feeling if doctors need training in how to communicate with patients about this specific situation, unlike other situations, then that communication must involve them learning how to tell lies convincingly.

I agree. Doctors should already know how to communicate highly distressing news to patients. What makes «somatic symptoms and related disorders» so special that it can’t be communicated within the same frameworks?

 

[rvallee]

This is like asking chefs whether their clients like their food, in the context of restaurants that are empty because the clients hate the food. It's delusional. What are these people doing?!

Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs) is an umbrella term for physical symptoms related to or amplified by psychosocial factors. Clinicians find difficulty in delivering SSRD diagnoses to families.

No it's not, and they should be embarrassed by it, horrified even. This junk pseudoscience is pure embarrassment, and this is the main reason why they are uncomfortable. I don't think the buy-in for this crap is actually as high as it's made out to be, it's just that most will play along with it because what's the alternative?

A total of 95% of respondents would recommend this curriculum to a colleague, and 98% reported they would use their skills in future clinical practice.

I can guarantee you that nothing close to this will do that. They're basically doing the equivalent of patients who play along with the BS because, same thing, what's the alternative? Just nod, move on and be glad it's over. This looks like the equivalent of college credits for 1h of pottery class, they're not taking it because it's interesting.