In Collaboration With The
Gut Feelings:
Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and 
the Patient-Doctor Relationship 
A Guide for Patients and Doctors

A groundbreaking book on the science, diagnosis, and treatment of the Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI), formerly called Functional GI Disorders and the importance of effective communication skills for patients and their doctors

Now available in Spanish

Gut Feelings: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and the Patient-Doctor Relationship, was written as a collaboration by an internationally-acclaimed gastroenterologist and a patient advocate with one main goal: to improve the care of patients with DGBI. 

World-Wide Sales for Gut Feelings

For doctors, this book will help you to: 

  • Learn the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of all Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs)
  • Elicit accurate information from the medical interview to make a precise diagnosis
  • Acquire communication skills to better connect with your patients
  • ​Avoid burnout - get satisfaction and meaningfulness in the care you provide
“The concept of the separation of mind and body is dominant and pervasive in Western thinking.
This has had profound negative effects on research, patient-care and the patient-physician relationship.”
Douglas A. Drossman MD, Co-Author

For patients looking for answers, this book will help you:

  • Understand why you have symptoms when all tests are negative
  • Learn to manage your GI symptoms and improve the care you receive
  • Improve your communication with doctors - what to ask and what to do when the visit is not going well 
  • ​Learn the diagnosis and treatment of the adult DGBIs in a scientifically accurate easy to read format
  • ​Find the best clinical programs for treating DGBI
“My care changed when I was able to honestly share my symptoms, thoughts and feelings with my doctor and knew that he was going to listen and try to help; that made me feel validated and empowered.”
Johannah Ruddy, MEd, Co-Author

Gut Feelings is broken down into four easy-to-read sections

  • Part 1: A Conceptual Understanding of the History, Philosophy, and Scientific Basis for the Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) 
  • Part 2: The Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI)
  • Part 3: Maximizing the Patient-Doctor Relationship. This section includes key elements to optimize the patient-doctor relationship with a guide for patients about self-management, and what they should do to maximize the care they are to receive, including problem-solving techniques.
  • ​Part 4: Information for the Doctor. This section is designed for the doctor and discusses aspects of shared responsibility and ways to use the book as a guide in working with patients.
The scientific explanations are presented in simple-to-understand terms, and many of the vital educational elements include the patient's perspective. There are also case histories and videos to bring to life the learning experience. Special features include a glossary to aid patients in understanding technical terms, beautiful illustrations, cartoons, and a resource page to find top-tier clinical programs that see patients with DGBIs. 

Meet the Expert Authors 

Douglas A. Drossman, MD, RFF | President Emeritus and CEO
Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry
UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders
University of North Carolina
Center for Education and Practice of Biopsychosocial Patient Care and
Drossman Gastroenterology
Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Dr. Drossman is trained in gastroenterology and psychiatry and is an internationally recognized scientist, clinician, and educator in DGBIs and communication skills training. He is the founder, former president, and currently COO of the Rome Foundation. He is Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry in Gastroenterology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also president of DrossmanCare, which develops workshops and training programs in communication skills, and he sees patients with complex DGBIs in his gastroenterology practice. 
Johannah Ruddy, M.Ed. | Patient Advocate and Consultant

Ms. Ruddy is a highly-recognized patient advocate with a background in education and management of non-profit health organizations. 

What people are saying about Gut Feelings

What doctors are saying

The credibility of the authors is impeccable. Dr. Drossman’s entire career, often mediated via his efforts through the Rome Foundation, has been devoted to providing the research and conceptual basis for a remarkable evolution in U.S. medicine: DGBI are the most completely described biopsychosocial disorders. This not only helps patients and practitioners but also guides the remainder of medicine in this new direction. Just as compelling is Ms. Ruddy’s personal story as a patient with IBS and how she suffered profoundly until treated by someone who understood the biopsychosocial model.

Robert C. Smith, MD, MACP
University Distinguished Professor
Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry
Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine
Gut Feelings is an essential resource for all participants in the health care system–not just patients and doctors– because we are or will be patients. The core of care delivery is the patient and their provider, and this guide focuses on how to successfully activate optimal patient-physician engagement. I urge all readers to heed and follow the advice provided in this book and to support its use and related materials in all clinical training programs for the benefit of patients and providers alike.

Douglas S. Levine, MD, AGAF, FACG
Manager and Sole Member, DSL Consulting LLC
Consultant to the Executive Committee, Rome Foundation Research Institute

What patients are saying

Gut Feelings is a must read for any medical or psychology student working in direct patient care. Dr. Drossman and Ms. Ruddy have created a valuable tool for all readers navigating the healthcare system, in particular gastroenterology and psychiatry, that will be useful for all in the years to come. As a chronic illness patient, I wish I would have had this guide at the beginning of my journey!

Lesley Isaacs
Patient 
Now more than ever it is important for patients to advocate for themselves and for doctors to be more understanding, empathetic and validating of their patients' needs. Gut Feelings is an important book for both patients and practitioners alike. Gut Feelings provides practical knowledge and useful insights in a manner which is very easy to digest. 

Katherine Wald, LCSW
Licensed Psychotherapist
Certified EMDR Therapist & Patient
About
DrossmanCare is biopsychosocial care, whose mission is improving healthcare by establishing new global standard for patient provider communications. DrossmanCare works through a medical practice, an educational center, and our investor program.

The Rome Foundation is an independent not for profit 501(c) 3 organization that provides support for activities designed to create scientific data and educational information to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). Our mission is to improve the lives of people with DGBI.

Also Checkout: 

Gut Feelings: The Patient Story

Personal Accounts of the Illness Journey

Learn from patient narratives to better manage Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) and improve the Patient-Provider Relationship (PPR)
© COPYRIGHT 2020, DrossmanCare
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5826 Fayetteville Road, Suite 201
Durham, NC 27713 USA