Dr. Douglas A. Drossman is a world-renowned gastroenterologist and pioneer in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders. He currently serves as Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, where he maintained a distinguished career from 1977 through 2011. After receiving his MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, he completed his medical residency at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and NYU-Bellevue Medical Center, followed by subspecialty training in biopsychosocial medicine at the University of Rochester and in gastroenterology at UNC. His academic journey established the foundation for his groundbreaking work in understanding and treating complex gastrointestinal conditions that bridge the gap between physical and psychological health.
Dr. Drossman's most significant contribution is founding the Rome Foundation, for which he served as President for 29 years, developing the internationally recognized Rome Criteria for diagnosing functional gastrointestinal disorders. His systematic approach to categorizing disorders of gut-brain interaction has standardized diagnosis and research worldwide, enabling consistent epidemiological studies and clinical trials. He pioneered the biopsychosocial model of care for gastrointestinal disorders, emphasizing the importance of physician-patient communication and relationship-centered care in managing difficult-to-treat conditions. His work has fundamentally transformed how clinicians understand and treat irritable bowel syndrome and related functional gastrointestinal disorders, improving patient outcomes across the globe. As noted in his professional profile, he receives national referrals to consult on difficult-to-diagnose and -treat patients with functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Drossman has been instrumental in shaping the field through his educational initiatives, including founding the Drossman Center for the Education and Practice of Biopsychosocial Care in 2012 to train physicians in communication skills and patient-centered approaches. He has authored over 500 articles and book chapters, served as Associate Editor of the journal Gastroenterology, and contributed to the Merck Manual for 17 years as Gastroenterology Section Editor. As a Charter Fellow of the American Academy of Communication in Health Care, he continues to facilitate workshops that develop clinical skills in physician-patient communication. His current vision focuses on translating biopsychosocial care principles to broader medical practice, with the goal of improving healthcare delivery for patients with complex, difficult-to-diagnose conditions.
