TY - JOUR
AU - T. Senger-Carpenter
AU - Barber Garcia
AU - K. Sieplinga
AU - N. Cunningham
A1 - 
AB - Integrated behavioral healthcare has addressed common pediatric primary care concerns including anxiety and depression, but is infrequently applied to somatic symptoms (e.g., chronic pain, fatigue, or syncope unattributable to organic causes), which affect one in three youth. Developing an integrated care model for primary care-where most youth with somatic symptoms first present for evaluation and management-may increase access and positively impact child health. This manuscript summarizes the literature surrounding integrated care for pediatric somatic symptoms and proposes an adapted model for primary care. Drawing from the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health model and cognitive-behavioral protocols for somatic symptom management, we propose that youth with mild to moderate symptoms can be effectively co-managed in primary care by a primary care provider delivering psychoeducation and facilitating team coordination, and an embedded behavioral healthcare provider conducting a brief, targeted intervention. This innovative approach leverages shared clinical responsibilities, as well as youth and families' trust in the primary care setting, to accessibly deliver care for mild-moderate symptoms otherwise unaddressed in current management approaches. Implementation likely requires developing clinician support tools and identifying sustainable billing practices, but may result in accessible, holistic, care that curtails symptom persistence and/or progression.
AD - College of Human Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. sengerth@msu.edu.; Pediatric Behavioral Health, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, USA.; College of Human Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.; Department of Pediatrics, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, USA.; College of Human Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
AN - 41307604
BT - J Clin Psychol Med Settings
C5 - Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Healthcare Disparities
DA - Nov 27
DO - 10.1007/s10880-025-10115-y
DP - NLM
ET - 20251127
JF - J Clin Psychol Med Settings
LA - eng
N2 - Integrated behavioral healthcare has addressed common pediatric primary care concerns including anxiety and depression, but is infrequently applied to somatic symptoms (e.g., chronic pain, fatigue, or syncope unattributable to organic causes), which affect one in three youth. Developing an integrated care model for primary care-where most youth with somatic symptoms first present for evaluation and management-may increase access and positively impact child health. This manuscript summarizes the literature surrounding integrated care for pediatric somatic symptoms and proposes an adapted model for primary care. Drawing from the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health model and cognitive-behavioral protocols for somatic symptom management, we propose that youth with mild to moderate symptoms can be effectively co-managed in primary care by a primary care provider delivering psychoeducation and facilitating team coordination, and an embedded behavioral healthcare provider conducting a brief, targeted intervention. This innovative approach leverages shared clinical responsibilities, as well as youth and families' trust in the primary care setting, to accessibly deliver care for mild-moderate symptoms otherwise unaddressed in current management approaches. Implementation likely requires developing clinician support tools and identifying sustainable billing practices, but may result in accessible, holistic, care that curtails symptom persistence and/or progression.
PY - 2025
SN - 1068-9583
ST - Moving Integrated Care for Pediatric Somatic Symptoms into Primary Care: An Innovative Approach
T1 - Moving Integrated Care for Pediatric Somatic Symptoms into Primary Care: An Innovative Approach
T2 - J Clin Psychol Med Settings
TI - Moving Integrated Care for Pediatric Somatic Symptoms into Primary Care: An Innovative Approach
U1 - Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1007/s10880-025-10115-y
VO - 1068-9583
Y1 - 2025
ER -