The body speaks its mind : the BodyMind Approach® for patients with medically unexplained symptoms in primary care in England

Abstract

This article documents an experience of translating research into the real-world of the National Health Service (NHS) in the England. Transferring new knowledge from research is problematic particularly when negotiating within the context of the changing NHS England. An overview of the pitfalls/challenges and some of the tried and tested methods which were designed to overcome these is provided. The evidence-based intervention, offered by a University of Hertfordshire spin-out company Pathways2Wellbeing, is a service called Symptoms Groups to patients, and termed The Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) Clinic to health professionals. The groups use The BodyMind Approach (TBMA)®2, based on a bio-psychosocial model derived from dance movement psychotherapy, which has been specifically researched with patients with MUS. These patients have no specific pathway for supporting their wellbeing and are high health utilizers at the interface of primary and community care. They suffer with chronic, physical symptoms or conditions which do not appear to have an organic, medical diagnosis, previously known as psychosomatic conditions.