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Introduction
Psychological and psychosomatic health disorders are common in somatic medicine. However, in everyday medical practice mental suffering often goes unrecognized or at least untreated, if only because of the still widespread distinction between somatic and mental medicine. In addition, patients may have difficulty sharing their suffering and/or present subclinical psychological or functional somatic symptoms that are not recognizable without further ado. Left unattended, such health issues can (co-)shape the somatic complaints and lead to unsatisfactory courses of treatment, to an increased somatic morbidity and even mortality. Thus, providing psychosomatically appropriate care within one's own clinical activity is a major challenge for somatic physicians. However, instructions for action adapted to the requirements of the respective medical specialty are largely lacking.

Methods
A key objective of the research project "Psychotraumatology in somatic medicine" is to provide a toolbox including psychosomatic knowledge and clinical interventions tailored to the clinical requirements of the various medical disciplines. With focus on the care of patients with traumatic life experiences and trauma sequelae, a first practical step was made in gynecology. Starting point was a specific training course additionally used to survey the knowledge, concerns and wishes of the medical team. A study of outpatient consultations derived from this experience was able to confirm, among other things, that trauma-specific training of the physician improves the therapeutic relationship.

Results
Directly applicable, disorder-sensitive communicative skills are crucial, especially with regard to diagnostic attention - and the ability to address difficult topics that are stressful for patients, but also for the physician himself. The toolbox includes knowledge of gynecological symptoms, which may indicate trauma; of potentially traumatizing medical measures; of trauma-sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic standards; of the creation of an adequate setting and basic, relieving and supportive therapeutic interventions; of conversational techniques, appropriate terms and metaphors; of psychoeducational means; of specific treatment options and the targeted use of collegial intervision and Balint groups.

Conclusion
Psychosomatic knowledge and training improves medical care in a gynecological context, and relieves the physician as well.