Claude Botha
Clinical Research Fellow

Claude is a general adult psychiatrist with a passionate interest in gastroenterology. Claude did his registrar training on the Charing Cross & St Mary’s Psychiatric Training Scheme here in London, while his undergraduate medical training was completed at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is fortunate in that he has received exposure to a large variety of psychotherapeutic treatment modalities during his training. Claude has completed diploma and certificate courses in; Clinical Hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Group Analysis, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming (EMDR) and Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT). Claude has been working in the field of Neurogastroenterology since 2003.

Project: Effect of pharmacological modulation of the autonomic nervous system on human oesophageal pain hypersensitivity

This project represents a paradigm shift in the management of pain in FGIDs. Instead of the current use of either antispasmodics or antidepressants, Claude would like to include the novel strategy of modulating the autonomic nervous system as well. Claude believes that psychiatric interventions may play an integral part in the direct treatment of some gut conditions, and this study will explore some of the mechanisms involved. Claude remains concerned at the ubiquities under diagnoses and treatment of psychiatric co-morbidity in gastroenterology, and am committed to assist in bringing about change in this regard.