How this fits in

In healthcare systems where the GP acts as a gatekeeper, such as the Dutch healthcare system, GPs can play a central role in providing care for patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS). To optimise coordination of care and identify best practices it is necessary to understand how patients with PSS currently experience coordination of care. In this study patients frequently reported that they experienced fragmented care during the diagnostic trajectory and mentioned challenges in finding support to cope with symptoms when they made the transition from the search for a cure to coping. The findings of this study underline the importance of collaboration between GPs and other healthcare professionals when providing care for patients with PSS. The authors of this study recommend that GPs provide proactive guidance during the diagnostic trajectory and are sensitive to patients who shift to coping by providing them with supportive care in a process of shared decision making.