Final answer:
Patients with somatoform disorders typically consult primary care physicians first. Somatoform disorders are psychiatric conditions characterized by physical symptoms without an underlying medical cause. Primary care physicians often serve as the first point of contact for patients with somatoform disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with somatoform disorders typically consult primary care physicians first.
Somatoform disorders are psychiatric conditions characterized by physical symptoms without an underlying medical cause. These symptoms can resemble those of various medical conditions, leading patients to seek medical help initially. Primary care physicians often serve as the first point of contact for patients with somatoform disorders, as they are responsible for managing a wide range of health issues, including mental health.
In some cases, primary care physicians may refer patients with somatoform disorders to mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists to further assess and treat the underlying psychological factors contributing to the symptoms.