Snapshot of an integrated psychosocial gastroenterology service

Table 1 Guidelines for appropriate referrals for health psychology services

Appropriate referrals

Patients with moderate to severe functional symptoms who have not responded to medical management (Palsson and Whitehead, 2013)

Stress or emotional factors are exacerbating gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms

Any patient interested in non-pharmacological treatment of functional GI symptoms

Patients newly diagnosed with chronic GI illness (e.g., crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis)

Any patient needing assistance coping with chronic, uncomfortable GI symptoms

Inappropriate referrals

Patients with significant psychological symptoms that are independent of the GI condition

Current severe psychiatric symptoms (suicidal ideation, psychotic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder)

Active eating disorder

Low insight into the role of stress on his/her GI condition

Poor motivation to engage in psychological treatment