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Two women aged 19 and 37 consulted their general practitioners (GPs) for medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). Patient A suffered sudden pain in her legs. She needed crutches, but no somatic explanation could be found. After systematically exploring the history (somatic, emotional and social aspects, thoughts, conduct), the GP initiated a proactive, multidisciplinary treatment regimen. He worked with a mental health nurse practitioner and focused the treatment regimen on the effects of the symptoms. The patient’s pain gradually decreased. Patient B had multiple functional complaints. She had little trust in her GP which resulted in inefficient care. The GP explored her history systematically. Together with the nurse practitioner, he initiated a multidisciplinary collaboration and coordinated all the other professionals involved. The patient, now more trusting, visits her GP regularly. Her symptoms still exist.

These case histories demonstrate that a multidisciplinary approach, initiated and coordinated by the GP working together with a mental health nurse practitioner, can lead to an improvement of the health of MUS patients as well as to the prevention of iatrogenic harm.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.