Psychogastroenterology: Exploring and Managing the Gut-Brain Connection
Course Overview
Because of the high prevalence of co-occurring gastrointestinal (GI) disease and mental illness, all healthcare providers can benefit from and understanding of the disease pathology and treatment options available for these patients. This course will review the current research on the connection between the gut, the brain, and the gut microbiota, as well as the stress response in the body. Next, the course will provide an overview of common GI diseases and mental illnesses and their connection to each other, followed by some basic assessment strategies to look for signs of depression and anxiety in patients with GI disease. Finally, the course will outline treatment options, both with well-established and emerging research, including medication, over the counter (OTC) supplements, psychotherapy, and alternative therapies. The course is intended for all healthcare providers, including physicians (MDs/DOs), advanced practice nurses (APRNs), and physicians’ assistants (PAs), in primary care or gastroenterology, who will be caring for these patients regularly, as well as mental health clinicians, such as counselors and social workers, who will be the primary providers of many of the proposed treatment strategies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the function and role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
- Describe the stress response and its impact on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Discuss structural and psychiatric conditions involving the gut-brain connection.
- Identify tools to screen for symptoms of depression and anxiety in gastrointestinal disease.
- Identify pharmacologic and supplemental treatment strategies for the management of gastrointestinal and psychologic conditions.
- Discuss alternative and psychotherapeutic methods to manage gastrointestinal and psychologic conditions.
- Evaluate patient diet and recommend dietary changes for the management of gastrointestinal symptoms.
About the Author/Presenter
Kelsey G. Kent, PhD, PMHNP, CNE is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with a PhD in nursing. She specializes in the psychological treatment of gastrointestinal disease, PTSD, and veterans’ mental health. Her research focuses on co-occurring gastrointestinal disease and mental illness. She is an instructor at Frontier Nursing University.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Counselor, Pharmacy, Physician, Psychology, Social Work
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
