Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders Clinical Pathway

Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders Clinical Pathway was designed to create a standardized approach to diagnostic formulation, multidisciplinary and subspeciality involvement, and treatment through the development of scripts, standardized provider-to-patient messaging, and use of DSM-5 terminology. This pathway aims to promote functional recovery through development of multi-prong rehabilitative treatment plans, including coordinating appropriate outpatient services to promote continued recovery post-hospitalization.

• Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSRDs) are complex disorders commonly encountered in the pediatric hospital setting, characterized by somatic symptoms that result in distressing thoughts and/or emotions and functional impairment.
• SSRDs may present in isolation or co-occur in individuals with underlying medical disorders associated with structural dysfunction, bodily injury, or inflammation.
• This pathway provides guidance to providers on:
• Early recognition of SSRDs
• Goals for inpatient admissions
• Early interdisciplinary evaluation and plan to promote functional recovery
• Messaging and partnership with patients and their families
• Education and facilitation of outpatient plan for continued recovery

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder clinical pathway

• Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders

About our Somatic Symptom and Related Disorder clinical pathways

Content ideas: This pathway was created through collaboration by a team of multidisciplinary experts, including those from hospital medicine, psychology, rehabilitation, neurology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, adolescent medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology, child life, and the hospital school program.