Medically unexplained symptoms resource page

Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are when young people have real physical symptoms with no medical cause.

Here you will find a suite of resources that help health professionals and families better understand and support young people with MUS.

Resources for health professionals

eLearn module

Medically unexplained symptoms in children and young people, available on LearningHERO (RCH staff)

This eLearn was designed for health practitioners who care for children and young people with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS).

The course aims to:

- introduce key concepts about MUS and somatising, including appropriate terminology
- provide information about care pathways, including identification and management of MUS presentations
- improve understanding of functional rehabilitation and multidisciplinary teamwork in MUS cases
- develop clinician confidence to care for and collaborate with children, young people and families in MUS cases

Go to the eLearn on LearningHERO

Podcast

The Education Hub's Conversation with the experts podcast, Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) in young people.

In this episode, host Camille Foley speaks with consultant psychiatrist Dr Andrew Court and paediatrician Dr Alex Cussen about Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) in young people - real physical symptoms like pain or fatigue that don’t have a clear medical cause.

The episode also provides suggestions for service delivery for MUS presentations and provides insights from families and young people with lived experience of MUS.

Go to the podcast on Podbean

RCH Clinical Practice Guideline

Coming soon in 2026

Resources for families

Family guide

Medically unexplained symptoms: A guide for parents, carers, and families

The guide was made by health professionals, researchers, and people with a lived or living experience of MUS including people who have cared for a loved one.

It provides a clear picture of what MUS are and how they can present, the processes of diagnosis and treatment, and the support options available.

There are four parts in this guide:

- Part one: Understanding medically unexplained symptoms
- Part two: The mind-body connection and stress
- Part three: Assessment and diagnosis
- Part four: Treatment and recovery

Go to the family guide

RCH Kids Health Info factsheets

Factsheet one: Somatising and medically unexplained symptoms

This factsheet helps parents and carers understand what it means when their child is somatising or has MUS, and how to support them when navigating care.

Go to the MUS factsheet

Factsheet two: Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs)

This factsheet covers two mental health conditions associated with MUS (known as SSRDs):

- somatic symptom disorder
- functional neurological disorder

The factsheet provides parents and carers information on what these diagnoses are, and some of the different treatment options available for their child.

Go to the SSRD factsheet