Dr. Douglas Drossman | Constipation, Dyssynergic Defecation And Patient-Centered Care

Love & Guts

#247 Dr. Drossman received gastroenterology training at the University of North Carolina where he founded the UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders. Dr Drossman is currently the Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry in Gastroenterology at UNC. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Master of the American College of Gastroenterology, Past-President of the American Psychosomatic Society (1997). Dr. Drossman has established multiple organizations to advance patient-centered education and treatment of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). He founded the Rome Foundation, and served as president until 2019, and is currently the President Emeritus and Chief of Operations. He has served as Senior Editor of Rome I, II, III, IV and is co-senior editor of Rome V to be released in 2026.

As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Drossman consults or manages the care of difficult-to-diagnose and -treat patients with DGBIs. As Founder and President of DrossmanCare (Center for Education and Practice of Biopsychosocial Care) Dr. Drossman produces educational materials to teach communication skills and patient-centered care. He has published peer-reviewed articles and videotapes on medical interviewing and the patient-doctor relationship. He also facilitates workshops and communication skills training programs and has received numerous awards, as an educator and practitioner.

Most recently he co-authored a book with a patient advocate called Gut Feelings: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and the Patient-Doctor Relationship for patients and clinicians. Dr. Drossman has written over 500 articles and book chapters serves on six editorial and advisory boards, was Associate Editor of the journal Gastroenterology and was the Gastroenterology Section Editor of the Merck Manual for 17 years. His research relates to the clinical, epidemiological, psychosocial, and treatment aspects of gastrointestinal disorders, and he has been principal investigator in several NIH-funded epidemiological outcomes, clinical trials, and abuse grants in DGBI and has done brain imaging in IBS.

In this episode we cover:

• What is constipation
• The different types of constipation - including primary and secondary
• Dyssynergic defecation - drivers and signs and symptoms
• What investigations are carried out by a gastroenterologist to confirm this
• Treatments commonly recommended or administered by gastroenterologists or GI motility specialists
• Why effective communication skills and patient-centered care are needed
• What are some ways that patients can improve their communication with doctors
• Get your hands on the book Gut feelings
• And so much more