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Treufeldt H, Burton C. Stigmatisation in medical encounters for persistent physical symptoms/functional disorders: Scoping review and thematic synthesis. Patient Educ Couns 2024; 123:108198. [PMID: 38367305 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a scoping review of stigma in medical encounters for persistent physical symptoms and functional disorders (PPS/FD). Stigma is a social attribute that links a person to an undesirable characteristic. It has been extensively studied in relation to mental illness but less so in relation to PPS/FD. METHODS We followed PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines for scoping reviews. Searches for were designed using the SPIDER tool. We used descriptive and thematic analysis. RESULTS The searches identified 68 articles, of which 32 were eligible for inclusion. 31 out of the 32 studies used a qualitative methodology. 8 studies used an explicit definition of stigma, of which 6 used the Goffman (1963) definition. Only 2 studies directly examined clinical consultations, the remainder relied on recalled accounts by patients or professionals. Descriptive analysis identified the focus of the studies included: patient-physician interaction (n = 13); health care professionals' perceptions (n = 7); experiences of illness/stigma (n = 6); broader meaning of illness (n = 3); and patients' experiences of stigma in health care consultations (n = 3). CONCLUSION Patients experience stigmatisation in consultations for a wide range of PPS/FD. This suggests the presence of structural stigmatisation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS There is a need for effective stigma reduction strategies in consultations about persistent physical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hõbe Treufeldt
- Division of Population Health, University of Sheffield, Samuel Fox House, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK.
| | - Christopher Burton
- Division of Population Health, University of Sheffield, Samuel Fox House, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK
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McGhie-Fraser B, McLoughlin C, Lucassen P, Ballering A, van Dulmen S, Brouwers E, Stone J, Olde Hartman T. Measuring persistent somatic symptom related stigmatisation: Development of the Persistent Somatic Symptom Stigma scale for Healthcare Professionals (PSSS-HCP). J Psychosom Res 2024:111689. [PMID: 38704347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) describe recurrent or continuously occurring symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or pain that have persisted for at least several months. These include single symptoms such as chronic pain, combinations of symptoms, or functional disorders such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. While stigmatisation by healthcare professionals is regularly reported, there are limited measurement instruments demonstrating content validity. This study develops a new instrument to measure stigmatisation by healthcare professionals, the Persistent Somatic Symptom Stigma scale for Healthcare Professionals (PSSS-HCP). METHODS Development was an iterative process consisting of research team review, item generation and cognitive interviewing. We generated a longlist of 60 items from previous reviews and qualitative research. We conducted 18 cognitive interviews with healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom (UK). We analysed the relevance, comprehensibility and comprehensiveness of items, including the potential for social desirability bias. RESULTS After research team consensus and initial feedback, we retained 40 items for cognitive interviewing. After our first round of interviews (n = 11), we removed 20 items, added three items and amended five items. After our second round of interviews (n = 7), we removed four items and amended three items. No major problems with relevance, comprehensibility, comprehensiveness or social desirability were found in remaining items. CONCLUSIONS The provisional version of the PSSS-HCP contains 19 items across three domains (stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination), demonstrating sufficient content validity. Our next step will be to perform a validation study to finalise item selection and explore the structure of the PSSS-HCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brodie McGhie-Fraser
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Caoimhe McLoughlin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Peter Lucassen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Aranka Ballering
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Sandra van Dulmen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Nivel (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Sweden.
| | - Evelien Brouwers
- Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Wellbeing, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
| | - Jon Stone
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Tim Olde Hartman
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
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Bavikatte A. Enhancing Stoma Care Education for Junior Doctors: A Comprehensive Teaching Series. Cureus 2024; 16:e58014. [PMID: 38606025 PMCID: PMC11007581 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal stomas are prevalent in surgical wards and demand careful medical attention, particularly in stoma management. Junior doctors play a vital role in this care, but their limited exposure and training may hinder their ability, impacting patient care. Given the dearth of literature, we aimed to assess junior doctors' stoma care knowledge and the efficacy of a specialized teaching course in boosting their confidence and skills. Methods The research, conducted at the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust in the UK, engaged 60 junior doctors, predominantly from Foundation Year 1 and Year 2, from August 2021 to December 2022. To ensure effective management and assessment, participants were divided into four groups, each comprising 15 doctors. A pivotal aspect of the study was implementing a structured stoma teaching series delivered by a panel of seasoned surgical experts. This series, conducted every Friday for three weeks, comprehensively covered all facets of stoma care. Both before and after the teaching series, assessments were administered to measure the impact of this educational intervention on the participants' understanding of stomas. The study meticulously adhered to ethical guidelines, with all participants providing informed consent, and measures were implemented to guarantee anonymity, thus safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of all individuals involved. The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of the stoma teaching series in augmenting the knowledge and comprehension of stomas among junior doctors. The findings of this study hold significant potential in guiding healthcare professionals toward developing more efficacious stoma education programs, ultimately leading to improved patient care outcomes. Results The study involved 60 junior doctors categorized into four groups from August 2021 to December 2022. It aimed to assess their understanding of colorectal stomas, focusing on complications and their knowledge about stoma appliances and care nurses. A questionnaire was used to evaluate their knowledge in these areas at the start of their surgical rotation, which showed significant knowledge gaps among participants. Of the 60 participants, 48 (80%) expressed slight or no confidence in basic stoma care, while 54 (90%) admitted unfamiliar with managing stoma complications. Astonishingly, all 60 (100%) participants lacked awareness of fundamental stoma care concepts. Significant improvements were observed following a comprehensive stoma teaching series covering basic stoma knowledge, its complications and management, and practical stoma care. Feedback from the course revealed positive outcomes, with 54 (87%) doctors feeling confident or very confident in basic stoma knowledge and 48 (80%) reporting increased familiarity with managing stoma complications. Remarkably, all 60 (100%) doctors indicated comfort with stoma care concepts after the sessions. Participants emphasized the course's value in medical education and professional development, citing enhanced practical skills such as communication and teamwork. Conclusion Our study revealed junior doctors' limited stoma knowledge, emphasizing the need for a dedicated teaching program that significantly improves their understanding. Focused stoma education is vital for junior doctors to deliver optimal patient care, necessitating hospitals to promote awareness for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Bavikatte
- General and Colorectal Surgery, West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust, Bury St Edmunds, GBR
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Thursby S, Dismore L, Swainston K. Clinical skills development for healthcare practitioners working with patients with persistent physical symptoms (PPS) in healthcare settings: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24:328. [PMID: 38519955 PMCID: PMC10960475 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05306-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complexity and uncertainty around Persistent Physical Symptoms (PPS) make it difficult to diagnose and treat, particularly under time-constrained consultations and limited knowledge. Brief interventions that can be utilised in day-to-day practice are necessary to improve ways of managing PPS. This review aimed to establish (i) what training primary and secondary healthcare practitioners have undertaken to develop their clinical skills when working with PPS, (ii) what training techniques or theoretical models have been used within these interventions, and (iii) how effective was the training. METHOD A systematic literature search was undertaken on eight databases to identify professional development interventions for healthcare practitioners working with PPS, were of any study design, and at a minimum were single measure studies (i.e., training outcome alone). Studies were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and narratively synthesised. RESULTS Despite high methodological heterogeneity across the six included studies, they all aimed to improve healthcare practitioners' communication skills through educational (theory, awareness, attitudes, assessment, treatment, and management of PPS) and experiential (role play) learning. CONCLUSIONS The review findings demonstrate that developing healthcare practitioners' communicative behaviours led to increased confidence and self-efficacy when working with PPS, which facilitated improved consultations and improvements on some patient outcomes. Barriers to the uptake of training programmes and implementation into daily clinical practice are discussed, including the need for PPS to be formally implemented into undergraduate teaching and post-qualification continuous professional development. TRIAL REGISTRATION This review was registered at PROSPERO [CRD42022315631] prior to the review starting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie Thursby
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, NE29 8NH, United Kingdom
| | - Lorelle Dismore
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, NE29 8NH, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Swainston
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Psychology, Newcastle University, 4 Floor Dame Margaret Barbour Building, Wallace Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, England.
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Kleinstäuber M, Schröder A, Daehler S, Pallesen KJ, Rask CU, Sanyer M, Van den Bergh O, Weinreich Petersen M, Rosmalen JGM. Aetiological Understanding of Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Classificatory Analogues: A Systematic Umbrella Review. Clin Psychol Eur 2023; 5:e11179. [PMID: 38356902 PMCID: PMC10863637 DOI: 10.32872/cpe.11179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This umbrella review systematically assesses the variety and relative dominance of current aetiological views within the scientific literature for the three most investigated symptom-defined functional somatic syndromes (FSS) and their classificatory analogues within psychiatry and psychology. Method An umbrella review of narrative and systematic reviews with and without meta-analyses based on a search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsychINFO) was conducted. Eligible reviews were published in English, focused on research of any kind of aetiological factors in adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), and somatic symptom disorder (SSD)/somatoform disorder (SFD). Results We included 452 reviews (132 systematic reviews including meta-analyses, 133 systematic reviews, 197 narrative reviews), of which 132 (29%) focused on two or more of the investigated health conditions simultaneously. Across diagnoses, biological factors were addressed in 90% (k = 405), psychological in 33% (k = 150), social in 12% (k = 54), and healthcare factors in 5% (k = 23) of the reviews. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews (k = 255) was low (low/critically low: 41% [k = 104]; moderate: 49% [k = 126]; high quality: 10% [k = 25]). The high-quality systematic reviews suggest that deficient conditioned pain modulation, genetic factors, changes in the immune, endocrinological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous system, and psychosocial factors such as sexual abuse and pain catastrophizing increase the risk for FSS. Conclusion Only very few systematic reviews have used comprehensive, biopsychosocial disease models to guide the selection of aetiological factors in FSS research. Future research should strive for higher scientific standards and broaden its perspective on these health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kleinstäuber
- Department of Psychology, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Andreas Schröder
- The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sarah Daehler
- Department of Psychology, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Charlotte U. Rask
- The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mathias Sanyer
- Department of Psychology, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Marie Weinreich Petersen
- The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Judith G. M. Rosmalen
- University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Scott L, Dolan E, Baker N, Melia Y. Exploring attitudes of healthcare professionals towards those with fibromyalgia: A Q-methodological approach. Br J Pain 2023; 17:352-365. [PMID: 37538944 PMCID: PMC10395391 DOI: 10.1177/20494637231159502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia remains a difficult condition to diagnose and treat. Research suggests that this leads to frustrating experiences for service users and healthcare professionals. This has led to negative healthcare professional attitudes towards working with those with fibromyalgia. The research to date reports negative attitudes and predominantly investigates attitudes of primary care physicians. This study explores the attitudes of a range of healthcare professionals towards those diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Using Q-methodology, 27 healthcare professionals completed a sorting task and questionnaire to prioritise statements relating to a range of different attitudes towards service users. All participants significantly loaded onto three factors that explained a total of 64% of the data variance. Factor 1 reflected the attitude 'Service users with fibromyalgia are no different to other service users and I enjoy working with them'. Factor 2 reflected the attitude 'Service users with fibromyalgia are inaccurate informants of their own condition due to lack of understanding of their condition and are not likely to engage in treatments'. Factor 3 reflected the attitude 'Service users with fibromyalgia are trustworthy with a lot of clinical problems [but I lack confidence in specialist skills to support them]'. Contrary to the current literature, there appears to be supportive attitudes from healthcare professionals towards service users diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Increased specialised training, clinical exposure to working with fibromyalgia and reflective practice spaces were identified as elements that could improve healthcare professional attitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Scott
- Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | - Eamon Dolan
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
| | - Nita Baker
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Stafford, UK
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Mariman A, Vermeir P, Csabai M, Weiland A, Stegers-Jager K, Vermeir R, Vogelaers D. Education on medically unexplained symptoms: a systematic review with a focus on cultural diversity and migrants. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:145. [PMID: 37013665 PMCID: PMC10069028 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health care providers often struggle with the management of patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), especially in case of a different ethnicity and/or cultural background. These challenges are insufficiently addressed in their training. OBJECTIVES A systematic review on education in the field of MUS in a diverse context to improve MUS healthcare provider-patient interaction focused on intercultural communication. METHODS Screening of PubMed, Web of Science, Cinahl and Cochrane Library on the keywords 'Medical unexplained (physical) symptoms (MUS)', 'Somatoform disorder', 'Functional syndrome', 'Diversity', 'Migrants', 'Ethnicity', 'Care models', 'Medical education', 'Communication skills', 'Health literacy'. RESULTS MUS patients, especially with a different ethnic background, often feel not understood or neglected. Health care providers experience feelings of helplessness, which may provoke medical shopping and resource consumption. Attitudes and perceptions from undergraduate trainees to senior physicians tend to be negative, impacting on the quality of the patient/health care provider relationship and subsequently on health outcomes, patient satisfaction and therapeutic adherence. Current undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate education and training does not prepare health care providers for diagnosing and managing MUS patients in a diverse context. A continuum of training is necessary to achieve a long term and lasting change in attitudes towards these patients and trainers play a key role in this process. Hence, education should pay attention to MUS, requiring a specific competency profile and training, taken into account the variety in patients' cultural backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review identified significant gaps and shortcomings in education on MUS in a diverse context. These need to be addressed to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Mariman
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Integrative Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vermeir
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Dean's Office of the Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Marta Csabai
- Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anne Weiland
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Stegers-Jager
- Institute of Medical Education Research, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben Vermeir
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk Vogelaers
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of General Internal Medicine, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
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McGhie-Fraser B, Lucassen P, Ballering A, Abma I, Brouwers E, van Dulmen S, Olde Hartman T. Persistent somatic symptom related stigmatisation by healthcare professionals: A systematic review of questionnaire measurement instruments. J Psychosom Res 2023; 166:111161. [PMID: 36753936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) experience stigmatising attitudes and behaviours by healthcare professionals. While previous research has focussed on individual manifestations of PSS related stigma, less is known about sound ways to measure stigmatisation by healthcare professionals towards patients with PSS. This review aims to assess the quality of questionnaire measurement instruments and make recommendations about their use. METHODS A systematic review using six databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Open Grey and EThOS). The search strategy combined three search strings related to healthcare professionals, PSS and stigma. Additional publications were identified by searching bibliographies. Three authors independently extracted the data. Data analysis and synthesis followed COSMIN methodology for reviews of outcome measurement instruments. RESULTS We identified 90 publications that met the inclusion criteria using 62 questionnaire measurement instruments. Stereotypes were explored in 92% of instruments, prejudices in 52% of instruments, and discrimination in 19% of instruments. The development process of the instruments was not rated higher than doubtful. Construct validity, structural validity, internal consistency and reliability were the most commonly investigated measurement properties. Evidence around content validity was inconsistent or indeterminate. CONCLUSION No instrument provided acceptable evidence on all measurement properties. Many instruments were developed for use within a single publication, with little evidence of their development or establishment of content validity. This is problematic because stigma instruments should reflect the challenges that healthcare professionals face when working with patients with PSS. They should also reflect the experiences that patients with PSS have widely reported during clinical encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brodie McGhie-Fraser
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Services Research, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Peter Lucassen
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Services Research, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Aranka Ballering
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Inger Abma
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Evelien Brouwers
- Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Wellbeing, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
| | - Sandra van Dulmen
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Services Research, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Nivel (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Sweden.
| | - Tim Olde Hartman
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Services Research, Department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Kaufmann J, Gould O, Lloyd V. Seeking Care for Long COVID: A Narrative Analysis of Canadian Experiences. J Patient Exp 2023; 10:23743735231151770. [PMID: 36710996 PMCID: PMC9880455 DOI: 10.1177/23743735231151770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to explore the experiences of individuals seeking care for long COVID-19 in the Canadian healthcare system. Recorded virtual interviews were carried out with 8 participants and narrative analysis was used to examine the stories produced and identify the central narratives that defined participants' experiences. Care-seeking experiences were characterized by (1) often debilitating multi-system symptoms for which little information about prognosis was available and no effective treatments were provided, (2) compounded by the frustration of trying to convince family, friends, and health care practitioners of the legitimacy of their illness, (3) access to medical care was severely limited by the global pandemic and associated higher thresholds for care, (4) like others suffering from complex, multi-system conditions, people with long COVID are often struggling with a health-care system ill-suited for dealing with long-term and possibly chronic conditions. To make system-level improvements to better serve those with chronic conditions, it is critical that we understand the care-seeking experiences of chronic illness patients, including the unique experiences of those with long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kaufmann
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - Odette Gould
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada,Odette Gould, Department of Psychology,
Mount Allison University, 49A York Street, Sackville, NB E4L 1C7.
| | - Vett Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
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Sallay V, Martos T, Lucza L, Weiland A, Stegers-Jager KM, Vermeir P, Mariman ANM, Csabai M. Medical educators' experiences on medically unexplained symptoms and intercultural communication-an expert focus group study. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22:310. [PMID: 35461231 PMCID: PMC9034474 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03275-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are highly prevalent and remain challenging in healthcare and medical education, along with the increase in the importance of intercultural issues regarding MUS. However, less is known about the challenges of professionally addressing patients with MUS in the interprofessional and intercultural contexts. Thus, the present study aims to provide the first exploration of the experiences of medical specialists regarding treating MUS in intercultural contexts and inputs for training development on the intercultural aspects of MUS. METHODS Three focus groups (total n = 13) consisting of medical specialists from a Hungarian university who were teaching at the medical faculty in intercultural settings and also worked for the university health services were interviewed. The topics covered the participants' personal experiences on addressing MUS and the challenges of intercultural communication and the intercultural educational context. Thematic analysis was used to yield a qualitative account of the interviews as guided by the research questions. RESULTS Representing the different aspects of medical specialists, the study identified three main themes in the experiences of medical specialists, namely, 1) the need to adapt to the personal world of patients and search for common frames to understand MUS, 2) the need to discover methods for adapting to cultural differences and 3) the need to enhance the interprofessional coordination of knowledge and practices. CONCLUSIONS The results are in line with the distinct conclusions of previous studies. Moreover, an integrated educational program on the intercultural aspects of MUS may address the main themes separately and, subsequently, support their integration. Therefore, the study discusses the manner in which an integrated educational program on the intercultural aspects of MUS may address the needs recognized in these aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Sallay
- Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Egyetem u. 2, 6722, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Martos
- Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Egyetem u. 2, 6722, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Lilla Lucza
- Doctoral School of Education, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anne Weiland
- Department for Internal Medicine & General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter Vermeir
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - An Noelle Margareta Mariman
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent University Hospital, Center for Integrative Medicine, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Márta Csabai
- Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Egyetem u. 2, 6722, Szeged, Hungary
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11
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McNicholas O, Pryce H. Clinical physiologists' experiences of working with people with nonepileptic attack disorder: A qualitative study. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 127:108501. [PMID: 35016053 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the perspectives of clinical physiologists on working with patients with nonepileptic attack disorder (NEAD). Nonepileptic attack disorder is a medically unexplained symptom frequently encountered by clinical physiologists in the field of neurophysiology. Studies in healthcare professionals show that they often find patients with medically unexplained symptoms challenging, uncomfortable, and frustrating to interact with. Clinical physiologists spend a substantial amount of time with patients and are key to the assessment of the condition. It is not known how physiologists experience working with patients with NEAD. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinical physiologists who frequently work with these patients. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to grounded theory methodology. RESULTS Twelve participants including current trainees and qualified clinical physiologists working in neurophysiology were interviewed for the study. Participants described the experience of working with people with NEAD as anxiety provoking and unpredictable. The sources of this anxiety were the nature of the psychological aspects of the condition, the need to preserve professional boundaries and a lack of preparedness to manage conversations about distress or the psychological factors impacting the NEAD. CONCLUSIONS There is a risk that patient care is compromised by the lack of preparation and skills training of physiologists. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Physiologists need further training in counseling skills to increase tolerance to emotionally laden content in patient accounts and knowledge of suitable referral routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia McNicholas
- Neurophysiology Department, University College Hospitals London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Helen Pryce
- Audiology Department, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B47ET, UK.
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Kane NS, Anastasides N, Litke DR, Helmer DA, Hunt SC, Quigley KS, Pigeon WR, McAndrew LM. Under-recognition of medically unexplained symptom conditions among US Veterans with Gulf War Illness. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259341. [PMID: 34874939 PMCID: PMC8651123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Conditions defined by persistent "medically unexplained" physical symptoms and syndromes (MUS) are common and disabling. Veterans from the Gulf War (deployed 1990-1991) have notably high prevalence and disability from MUS conditions. Individuals with MUS report that providers do not recognize their MUS conditions. Our goal was to determine if Veterans with MUS receive an ICD-10 diagnosis for a MUS condition or receive disability benefits available to them for these conditions. METHODS A chart review was conducted with US Veterans who met case criteria for Gulf War Illness, a complex MUS condition (N = 204, M = 53 years-old, SD = 7). Three coders independently reviewed Veteran's medical records for MUS condition diagnosis or service-connection along with comorbid mental and physical health conditions. Service-connection refers to US Veterans Affairs disability benefits eligibility for conditions or injuries experienced during or exacerbated by military service. RESULTS Twenty-nine percent had a diagnosis of a MUS condition in their medical record, the most common were irritable colon/irritable bowel syndrome (16%) and fibromyalgia (11%). Slightly more Veterans were service-connected for a MUS condition (38%) as compared to diagnosed. There were high rates of diagnoses and service-connection for mental health (diagnoses 76% and service-connection 74%), musculoskeletal (diagnoses 86%, service-connection 79%), and illness-related conditions (diagnoses 98%, service-connection 49%). CONCLUSION Given that all participants were Gulf War Veterans who met criteria for a MUS condition, our results suggest that MUS conditions in Gulf War Veterans are under-recognized with regard to clinical diagnosis and service-connected disability. Veterans were more likely to be diagnosed and service-connected for musculoskeletal-related and mental health conditions than MUS conditions. Providers may need education and training to facilitate diagnosis of and service-connection for MUS conditions. We believe that greater acknowledgement and validation of MUS conditions would increase patient engagement with healthcare as well as provider and patient satisfaction with care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S. Kane
- VA New Jersey Health Care System, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ, United States of America
| | - Nicole Anastasides
- VA New Jersey Health Care System, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ, United States of America
| | - David R. Litke
- VA New Jersey Health Care System, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ, United States of America
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Drew A. Helmer
- VA New Jersey Health Care System, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ, United States of America
- Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Stephen C. Hunt
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WS, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WS, United States of America
| | - Karen S. Quigley
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Center for Health Organization & Implementation Research (CHOIR), Bedford, MA, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Wilfred R. Pigeon
- Finger Lakes Healthcare System/VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY, United States of America
- Psychiatry Department, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. McAndrew
- VA New Jersey Health Care System, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ, United States of America
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, Albany, NY, United States of America
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Vermeir P, Mariman A, Lucza L, Sallay V, Weiland A, Stegers‐Jager KM, Vogelaers D. Epidemiology and organisation of care in medically unexplained symptoms: A systematic review with a focus on cultural diversity and migrants. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14855. [PMID: 34516726 PMCID: PMC9285020 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the pathophysiology of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) remains unclear, healthcare providers often struggle with these patients, especially with a different ethnic and/or cultural background. These challenges are insufficiently addressed in their training and in the organisation of care. AIM To improve healthcare provider-patient interaction focused on MUS patients in general and in ethnic minorities and refugees in particular through a systematic review of syndromal definitions and epidemiology and organisation of care of MUS patients. METHODS Screening of PubMed, Web of Science, Cinahl and Cochrane Library on the keywords 'Medical unexplained (physical) symptoms (MUPS)', 'Somatoform disorder', 'Functional syndrome', 'Diversity', 'Migrants', 'Ethnicity', 'Care models', 'Medical education', 'Communication skills', 'Health literacy'. RESULTS Different case definitions result in markedly different epidemiological estimates for MUS patients. Nevertheless, they are prevalent in a wide range of healthcare settings. Literature offers evidence of the effectiveness of structural frameworks in approaching MUS patients. Organisation of MUS care needs to transcend different levels of care: specialist tertiary and secondary care and primary care involving different qualifications of caregivers need to be aligned. CONCLUSION The systematic review identified significant gaps and shortcomings in organisation of care. These need to be addressed in order to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vermeir
- Ghent University/Ghent University HospitalGentBelgium
| | - An Mariman
- Ghent University/Ghent University HospitalGentBelgium
| | - Lilla Lucza
- Doctoral School of EducationUniversity of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Viola Sallay
- Institute of PsychologyUniversity of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Anne Weiland
- Erasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Dirk Vogelaers
- Ghent University/Ghent University HospitalGentBelgium
- AZ Delta RoeselareRoeselareBelgium
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Shu Z, Wang J, Sun H, Xu N, Lu C, Zhang R, Li X, Liu B, Zhou X. Diversity and molecular network patterns of symptom phenotypes. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2021; 7:41. [PMID: 34848731 PMCID: PMC8632989 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-021-00206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Symptom phenotypes have continuously been an important clinical entity for clinical diagnosis and management. However, non-specificity of symptom phenotypes for clinical diagnosis is one of the major challenges that need be addressed to advance symptom science and precision health. Network medicine has delivered a successful approach for understanding the underlying mechanisms of complex disease phenotypes, which will also be a useful tool for symptom science. Here, we extracted symptom co-occurrences from clinical textbooks to construct phenotype network of symptoms with clinical co-occurrence and incorporated high-quality symptom-gene associations and protein-protein interactions to explore the molecular network patterns of symptom phenotypes. Furthermore, we adopted established network diversity measure in network medicine to quantify both the phenotypic diversity (i.e., non-specificity) and molecular diversity of symptom phenotypes. The results showed that the clinical diversity of symptom phenotypes could partially be explained by their underlying molecular network diversity (PCC = 0.49, P-value = 2.14E-08). For example, non-specific symptoms, such as chill, vomiting, and amnesia, have both high phenotypic and molecular network diversities. Moreover, we further validated and confirmed the approach of symptom clusters to reduce the non-specificity of symptom phenotypes. Network diversity proposes a useful approach to evaluate the non-specificity of symptom phenotypes and would help elucidate the underlying molecular network mechanisms of symptom phenotypes and thus promotes the advance of symptom science for precision health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Shu
- Institute of Medical Intelligence, School of Computer and Information Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100063, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Institute of Medical Intelligence, School of Computer and Information Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100063, China
| | - Hailong Sun
- Institute of Medical Intelligence, School of Computer and Information Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100063, China
| | - Ning Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan, Henan University of Chinese Medicine), Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Chenxia Lu
- Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Runshun Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Baoyan Liu
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xuezhong Zhou
- Institute of Medical Intelligence, School of Computer and Information Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100063, China.
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Hanssen DJC, Bos LR, Finch TL, Rosmalen JGM. Barriers and facilitators to implementing interventions for medically unexplained symptoms in primary and secondary care: A systematic review. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2021; 73:101-13. [PMID: 34763113 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To integrate existing literature on barriers and facilitators to implementing interventions for Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) in primary and secondary care. METHOD Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. A search of PsychINFO/Pubmed/Web of Science was performed to select studies focusing on MUS-interventions and implementation. All included papers were checked for quality and bias. A narrative synthesis approach was used to describe the included papers by implementation level, ranging from the specific intervention to the broader economic/political context. RESULTS 20 (quantitative/qualitative/mixed design) papers were included, but the quantitative studies especially, lacked methodological quality, with possible publication bias as a result. Results showed that the intervention needs to be acceptable and in line with daily practice routines. The professional's attitude and skills are important for implementation success, as well as for overcoming problems in the professional-patient interaction. If patients stick to finding a somatic cause, this hampers implementation. A lack of time is a frequently mentioned barrier at the organizational level. Barriers/facilitators at the social context level and at the economic/political level were barely reported on in the included papers. CONCLUSION Results were integrated into an existing implementation model, as an example of how MUS-interventions can be successfully implemented in practice.
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McAndrew LM, Khatib LA, Sullivan NL, Winograd DM, Kolar SK, Santos SL. Healthcare providers' perceived learning needs and barriers to providing care for chronic multisymptom illness and environmental exposure concerns. Life Sci 2021; 284:119757. [PMID: 34425128 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patient provider encounters for chronic multisympom illness (CMI) and/or environmental exposures are difficult often resulting in Veterans and providers having high levels of dissatisfaction. Patients attribute these difficulties to providers lacking knowledge about these health concerns. It is not known whether providers perceive themselves as lacking expertise in CMI and environmental exposure concerns. METHODS This needs assessment used a descriptive online survey design. A total of 3632 VA healthcare providers across disciplines were surveyed. RESULTS Healthcare providers reported speaking with Veterans about CMI and environmental exposures despite feeling they have minimal to no knowledge of these topics. At the same time, only half of the providers had taken an available training on CMI or environmental exposure within the last year. CONCLUSION Healthcare providers recognize a knowledge gap regarding CMI and environmental exposures, despite this, there is low uptake of provider education on these topics. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS A better understanding of barriers to uptake of training on CMI and environmental exposures is needed to increase engagement with these important trainings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McAndrew
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA; Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Linda A Khatib
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA.
| | - Nicole L Sullivan
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA.
| | - Darren M Winograd
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Stephanie K Kolar
- Employee Education System, Veterans Health Administration Veterans Affairs, Long Beach Medical Facility, 901 East 7thStreet, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
| | - Susan L Santos
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean L Davidson
- University of Auckland, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - David B Menkes
- Waikato Clinical Campus, University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Abstract
Medically unexplained symptoms or persistent physical symptoms are common, real and are associated with significant distress, loss of functioning and high healthcare costs. History, examination and appropriate investigations are essential to make a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been made, exploring the impact of the symptoms helps us to tailor our advice to patients. This paper sets out a practical approach to taking a history, assessment and stepwise management principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujtaba Husain
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), London, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- King's College London, London, UK and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), London, UK
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19
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KILIÇ Ö, ESER HY, NECEF I, ALTUNÖZ U, ÇAKMAK ÖÖ, AKTAŞ C. How do Physicians Manage Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder and Somatic Symptom Disorder in the Emergency Department? A Vignette Study. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2021; 58:261-267. [PMID: 34924784 PMCID: PMC8665294 DOI: 10.29399/npa.27599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to explore how physicians from different specialties approach the management of functional neurological symptom (conversion) and somatic symptom disorders in the emergency department compared with pulmonary embolism and how physicians' professional and personal characteristics influence their diagnostic preferences. METHODS Using a vignette methodology, and cross-sectional design, three emergency department case vignettes of possible functional neurological symptom, somatic symptom disorder, and pulmonary embolism were presented to physicians from internal medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. A structured survey including questions on diagnosis and management of these cases, and physicians' professional and personal characteristics (childhood trauma, attachment style) was conducted. RESULTS Physicians from internal medicine and emergency medicine tended to consider functional neurological symptom disorder as 'malingering' while psychiatrists tended to diagnose the pulmonary embolism case as a psychiatric condition. Emergency medicine physicians preferred to manage functional neurological symptom disorder themselves, while other doctors endorsed recommending a psychiatric consultation. In the univariable model, being a physician from psychiatry, emergency medicine, or internal medicine; being a specialist, history of childhood sexual abuse, dismissive, and fearful attachment styles of doctors were significant predictors of diagnosing functional neurological symptom disorder as malingering. Being a psychiatrist stayed as the only significant predictor in the multivariable model. CONCLUSION Objectively-aberrant functional neurological symptoms and subjective somatic symptoms may be creating different reactions in physicians. In the emergency department, physicians' diagnostic and treatment preferences of conversion disorder may be influenced by lack of training in conversion disorder, rather than their personal characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge KILIÇ
- Department of Psychiatry, Bezmialem Vakıf University Medical Faculty, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Hale Yapici ESER
- Department of Psychiatry, Koç University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Işıl NECEF
- Department of Psychiatry, Koç University Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Umut ALTUNÖZ
- KRH Wunstorf Psychiatric Hospital, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Wunstorf, Germany
| | - Özgür öztop ÇAKMAK
- Department of Neurology, Koç University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Can AKTAŞ
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Koç University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
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Winograd DM, Sullivan NL, Thien SR, Pigeon WR, Litke DR, Helmer DA, Rath JF, Lu SE, McAndrew LM. Veterans with Gulf War Illness perceptions of management strategies. Life Sci 2021; 279:119219. [PMID: 33592197 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a prevalent and disabling condition characterized by persistent physical symptoms. Clinical practice guidelines recommend self-management to reduce the disability from GWI. This study evaluated which GWI self-management strategies patients currently utilize and view as most effective and ineffective. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected from 267 Veterans during the baseline assessment of a randomized clinical trial for GWI. Respondents answered 3 open-ended questions regarding which self-management strategies they use, view as effective, and view as ineffective. Response themes were coded, and code frequencies were analyzed. KEY FINDINGS Response frequencies varied across questions (in-use: n = 578; effective: n = 470; ineffective: n = 297). Healthcare use was the most commonly used management strategy (38.6% of 578), followed by lifestyle changes (28.5% of 578), positive coping (13% of 578), and avoidance (13.7% of 578). When asked about effective strategies, healthcare use (25.9% of 470), lifestyle change (35.7% of 470), and positive coping (17.4% of 470) were identified. Avoidance was frequently identified as ineffective (20.2% of 297 codes), as was invalidating experiences (14.1% of 297) and negative coping (10.4% of 297). SIGNIFICANCE Patients with GWI use a variety of self-management strategies, many of which are consistent with clinical practice guidelines for treating GWI, including lifestyle change and non-pharmacological strategies. This suggests opportunities for providers to encourage effective self-management approaches that patients want to use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M Winograd
- University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Nicole L Sullivan
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA
| | - Scott R Thien
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA
| | - Wilfred R Pigeon
- VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Veterans Affairs Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - David R Litke
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Drew A Helmer
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph F Rath
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shou-En Lu
- Rutgers Unviersity, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Lisa M McAndrew
- University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, USA; War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA.
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Barnett C, Mitchell C, Tyson S. The management of patients with functional stroke: speech and language therapists’ views and experiences. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:3547-3558. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1867910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Barnett
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire Mitchell
- Division of Human Communication, Development & Hearing, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Tyson
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Patel M, James K, Moss-Morris R, Ashworth M, Husain M, Hotopf M, David AS, McCrone P, Landau S, Chalder T. BMC family practice integrated GP care for patients with persistent physical symptoms: feasibility cluster randomised trial. BMC Fam Pract 2020; 21:207. [PMID: 33028243 PMCID: PMC7542765 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01269-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients continue to suffer from medically unexplained symptoms otherwise referred to as persistent physical symptoms (PPS). General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the management of PPS and require further training. Patients are often frustrated with the care they receive. This study aims to assess the acceptability of an 'integrated GP care' approach which consists of offering self-help materials to patients with PPS and offering their GPs training on how to utilise cognitive behavioural skills within their consultations, as well as assessing the feasibility of conducting a future trial in primary care to evaluate its benefit. METHODS A feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in primary care, South London, UK. GP practices (clusters) were randomly allocated to 'integrated GP care plus treatment as usual' or 'treatment as usual'. Patients with PPS were recruited from participating GP practices before randomisation. Feasibility parameters, process variables and potential outcome measures were collected at pre-randomisation and at 12- and 24-weeks post-randomisation at cluster and individual participant level. RESULTS Two thousand nine hundred seventy-eight patients were identified from 18 GP practices. Out of the 424 patients who responded with interest in the study, 164 fully met the eligibility criteria. One hundred sixty-one patients provided baseline data before cluster randomisation and therefore were able to participate in the study. Most feasibility parameters indicated that the intervention was acceptable and a future trial feasible. 50 GPs from 8 GP practices (randomised to intervention) attended the offer of training and provided positive feedback. Scores in GP knowledge and confidence increased post-training. Follow-up rate of patients at 24 weeks was 87%. However estimated effect sizes on potential clinical outcomes were small. CONCLUSIONS It was feasible to identify and recruit patients with PPS. Retention rates of participants up to 24 weeks were high. A wide range of health services were used. The intervention was relatively low cost and low risk. This complex intervention should be further developed to improve patients'/GPs' utilisation of audio/visual and training resources before proceeding to a full trial evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02444520 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenal Patel
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Kirsty James
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, Psychology and Neuroscience King's College, London, UK
| | - Rona Moss-Morris
- Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Mark Ashworth
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mujtaba Husain
- UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.,UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, UCL Institute of Mental Health, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Paul McCrone
- Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, Greenwich, London, SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Sabine Landau
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, Psychology and Neuroscience King's College, London, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
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Barnett C, Davis R, Mitchell C, Tyson S. The vicious cycle of functional neurological disorders: a synthesis of healthcare professionals’ views on working with patients with functional neurological disorder. Disabil Rehabil 2020; 44:1802-1811. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1822935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Barnett
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Claire Mitchell
- Division of Human Communication, Development & Hearing, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Tyson
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Leaviss J, Davis S, Ren S, Hamilton J, Scope A, Booth A, Sutton A, Parry G, Buszewicz M, Moss-Morris R, White P. Behavioural modification interventions for medically unexplained symptoms in primary care: systematic reviews and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2020; 24:1-490. [PMID: 32975190 PMCID: PMC7548871 DOI: 10.3310/hta24460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The term 'medically unexplained symptoms' is used to cover a wide range of persistent bodily complaints for which adequate examination and appropriate investigations do not reveal sufficiently explanatory structural or other specified pathologies. A wide range of interventions may be delivered to patients presenting with medically unexplained symptoms in primary care. Many of these therapies aim to change the behaviours of the individual who may have worsening symptoms. OBJECTIVES An evidence synthesis to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural modification interventions for medically unexplained symptoms delivered in primary care settings was undertaken. Barriers to and facilitators of the effectiveness and acceptability of these interventions from the perspective of patients and service providers were evaluated through qualitative review and realist synthesis. DATA SOURCES Full search strategies were developed to identify relevant literature. Eleven electronic sources were searched. Eligibility criteria - for the review of clinical effectiveness, randomised controlled trials were sought. For the qualitative review, UK studies of any design were included. For the cost-effectiveness review, papers were restricted to UK studies reporting outcomes as quality-adjusted life-year gains. Clinical searches were conducted in November 2015 and December 2015, qualitative searches were conducted in July 2016 and economic searches were conducted in August 2016. The databases searched included MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO and EMBASE. Updated searches were conducted in February 2019 and March 2019. PARTICIPANTS Adult participants meeting the criteria for medically unexplained symptoms, including somatoform disorders, chronic unexplained pain and functional somatic syndromes. INTERVENTIONS Behavioural interventions were categorised into types. These included psychotherapies, exercise-based interventions, multimodal therapies (consisting of more than one intervention type), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support, guided self-help and general practitioner interventions, such as reattribution. Evidence synthesis: a network meta-analysis was conducted to allow a simultaneous comparison of all evaluated interventions in a single coherent analysis. Separate network meta-analyses were performed at three time points: end of treatment, short-term follow-up (< 6 months since the end of treatment) and long-term follow-up (≥ 6 months after the end of treatment). Outcomes included physical and psychological symptoms, physical functioning and impact of the illness on daily activities. Economic evaluation: within-trial estimates of cost-effectiveness were generated for the subset of studies where utility values (or quality-adjusted life-years) were reported or where these could be estimated by mapping from Short Form questionnaire-36 items or Short Form questionnaire-12 items outcomes. RESULTS Fifty-nine studies involving 9077 patients were included in the clinical effectiveness review. There was a large degree of heterogeneity both between and within intervention types, and the networks were sparse across all outcomes. At the end of treatment, behavioural interventions showed some beneficial effects when compared with usual care, in particular for improvement of specific physical symptoms [(1) pain: high-intensity cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBTHI) standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.54 [95% credible interval (CrI) 0.28 to 0.84], multimodal SMD 0.52 (95% CrI 0.19 to 0.89); and (2) fatigue: low-intensity cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBTLI) SMD 0.72 (95% CrI 0.27 to 1.21), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.87 (95% CrI 0.20 to 1.55), graded activity SMD 0.51 (95% CrI 0.14 to 0.93), multimodal SMD 0.52 (95% CrI 0.14 to 0.92)] and psychological outcomes [(1) anxiety CBTHI SMD 0.52 (95% CrI 0.06 to 0.96); (2) depression CBTHI SMD 0.80 (95% CrI 0.26 to 1.38); and (3) emotional distress other psychotherapy SMD 0.58 (95% CrI 0.05 to 1.13), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.66 (95% CrI 0.18 to 1.28) and sport/exercise SMD 0.49 (95% CrI 0.03 to 1.01)]. At short-term follow-up, behavioural interventions showed some beneficial effects for specific physical symptoms [(1) pain: CBTHI SMD 0.73 (95% CrI 0.10 to 1.39); (2) fatigue: CBTLI SMD 0.62 (95% CrI 0.11 to 1.14), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.51 (95% CrI 0.06 to 1.00)] and psychological outcomes [(1) anxiety: CBTHI SMD 0.74 (95% CrI 0.14 to 1.34); (2) depression: CBTHI SMD 0.93 (95% CrI 0.37 to 1.52); and (3) emotional distress: relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.82 (95% CrI 0.02 to 1.65), multimodal SMD 0.43 (95% CrI 0.04 to 0.91)]. For physical functioning, only multimodal therapy showed beneficial effects: end-of-treatment SMD 0.33 (95% CrI 0.09 to 0.59); and short-term follow-up SMD 0.78 (95% CrI 0.23 to 1.40). For impact on daily activities, CBTHI was the only behavioural intervention to show beneficial effects [end-of-treatment SMD 1.30 (95% CrI 0.59 to 2.00); and short-term follow-up SMD 2.25 (95% CrI 1.34 to 3.16)]. Few effects remained at long-term follow-up. General practitioner interventions showed no significant beneficial effects for any outcome. No intervention group showed conclusive beneficial effects for measures of symptom load (somatisation). A large degree of heterogeneity was found across individual studies in the assessment of cost-effectiveness. Several studies suggested that the interventions produce fewer quality-adjusted life-years than usual care. For those interventions that generated quality-adjusted life-year gains, the mid-point incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) ranged from £1397 to £129,267, but, where the mid-point ICER fell below £30,000, the exploratory assessment of uncertainty suggested that it may be above £30,000. LIMITATIONS Sparse networks meant that it was not possible to conduct a metaregression to explain between-study differences in effects. Results were not consistent within intervention type, and there were considerable differences in characteristics between studies of the same type. There were moderate to high levels of statistical heterogeneity. Separate analyses were conducted for three time points and, therefore, analyses are not repeated-measures analyses and do not account for correlations between time points. CONCLUSIONS Behavioural interventions showed some beneficial effects for specific medically unexplained symptoms, but no one behavioural intervention was effective across all medically unexplained symptoms. There was little evidence that these interventions are effective for measures of symptom load (somatisation). General practitioner-led interventions were not shown to be effective. Considerable heterogeneity in interventions, populations and sparse networks mean that results should be interpreted with caution. The relationship between patient and service provider is perceived to play a key role in facilitating a successful intervention. Future research should focus on testing the therapeutic effects of the general practitioner-patient relationship within trials of behavioural interventions, and explaining the observed between-study differences in effects within the same intervention type (e.g. with more detailed reporting of defined mechanisms of the interventions under study). STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015025520. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 46. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Leaviss
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah Davis
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Shijie Ren
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jean Hamilton
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alison Scope
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Andrew Booth
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anthea Sutton
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Glenys Parry
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marta Buszewicz
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | | | - Peter White
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
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Baitha U, Deb KS, Ranjan P, Mukherjee A, Bauddh NK, Kaloiya GS, Kumar A, Jadon RS. Estimated prevalence of medically unexplained physical symptoms in the medicine outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in India. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2019; 61:47-52. [PMID: 31710858 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a paucity of scientific evidence from the Indian subcontinent regarding the magnitude and burden of Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS). This study aims to fill the evidence gap by assessing the prevalence and pattern of MUPS amongst patients attending the Medicine Out-Patient Department (OPD). METHODOLOGY The study assessed all consecutive new patients, presenting to the Medicine OPD of a tertiary care center in India over a period of nine months. All consenting patients, between 18 and 60 years of age, irrespective of their reason for consultation were included for the study. The diagnosis in subjects was established by a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and relevant investigations. A diagnosis of MUPS was made in cases with no demonstrable organic cause, and after agreement in the opinion of two independent physicians. All recruited patients with MUPS were subsequently evaluated on a pre-validated symptom checklist of 23 symptoms. RESULTS Out of 976 subjects included, a diagnosis of MUPS was established in 24.6% [95% CI = 21.9-27.3] of the sample. An additional 20.6% met the criteria of persistent MUPS (symptoms >2 months), and 19.7% of subjects had symptom duration of more than three months, meeting the stricter definition for 'persistent MUPS'. Prevalence was significantly higher in females (p = 0.02), and patients of MUPS were significantly younger (p = 0.004) than patients with other diagnoses. MUPS patients on average complained of 13 ± 5 symptoms and sought multiple medical consultations [Median (IQR) = 3 (2 - 6)] in the last one year. Non-specific, general symptoms (94.6%) and various types of pain (93.7%) were the most frequent complaints. Pain symptoms, genitourinary symptoms, palpitation, and nausea were more frequent in females as compared to males. DISCUSSION Medically unexplained symptoms are as common in India as in the west and therefore pose a significant burden on the healthcare delivery systems. There is a need to sensitize the medical fraternity and policymakers for this condition to develop effective services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aparna Mukherjee
- Wellcome Trust- India Alliance, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
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Abstract
In this article, we examine the arguments made by authors of published academic articles concerning the debates surrounding chronic Lyme disease (CLD). CLD is an example of a contested condition and shares problems of legitimacy with other medically unexplained conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome. We use a critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach to understand the arguments of the authors to establish the legitimacy, or not, of a CLD diagnosis. This enabled us to make sense of the nature of the stalemate between patient groups and advocates of the medical establishment, as performed by authors of academic articles. In this article, we bring together the arguments to explain the polemical debate and to support accounts that avoid the impasse to give us greater insight into the experience of chronic illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Hinds
- 1 University College London, London, United Kingdom
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29
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Mengshoel AM, Bjorbækmo WS, Sallinen M, Wahl AK. 'It takes time, but recovering makes it worthwhile'- A qualitative study of long-term users' experiences of physiotherapy in primary health care. Physiother Theory Pract 2019; 37:6-16. [PMID: 31081435 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1616343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In several European countries, patients with chronic pain conditions are high consumers of physicians' and physiotherapists' health services in primary health care. This study aimed to explore how patients in a Norwegian context make sense of their long-term use of physiotherapy. Narrative interviews were conducted with six long-term users. The data material was subjected to a narrative analysis with a focus on the stories' content and how health professionals and informants were inscribed in the stories. The stories provide rich and varied information about the informants' experiences with prior and present health services inscribed in their experiences of illness and recovery. The narrative's introduction portrays a shared illness narrative, centered around negative experiences as illustrated by the theme 'A long time searching for explanations and solutions to recover'. The narrative's plot describes a gradually ascending story of recovery where abilities overshadowed disabilities, as the informants are 'Learning their own meaningful ways to proceed'. The narrative has no definite ending, but instead depicts an 'Uncertainty about future and own ability to reverse relapse'. The shared narrative's storyline is that 'It takes time, but recovering makes it worthwhile'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marit Mengshoel
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo , Oslo, Norway
| | - Wenche Schrøder Bjorbækmo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo , Oslo, Norway.,Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University , Oslo, Norway
| | - Merja Sallinen
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo , Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences , Pori, Finland
| | - Astrid Klopstad Wahl
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo , Oslo, Norway
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Anastasides N, Chiusano C, Gonzalez C, Graff F, Litke DR, McDonald E, Presnall-Shvorin J, Sullivan N, Quigley KS, Pigeon WR, Helmer DA, Santos SL, McAndrew LM. Helpful ways providers can communicate about persistent medically unexplained physical symptoms. BMC Fam Pract 2019; 20:13. [PMID: 30651073 PMCID: PMC6334465 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-018-0881-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication between patients and providers about persistent "medically unexplained" physical symptoms (MUS) is characterized by discordance. While the difficulties are well documented, few studies have examined effective communication. We sought to determine what veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) perceive as the most helpful communication from their providers. Veterans with GWI, a type of MUS, have historically had complex relationships with medical providers. Determining effective communication for patients with particularly complex relationships may help identify the most critical communication elements for all patients with MUS. METHODS Two hundred and-ten veterans with GWI were asked, in a written questionnaire, what was the most useful thing a medical provider had told them about their GWI. Responses were coded into three categories with 10 codes. RESULTS The most prevalent helpful communication reported by patients was when the provider offered acknowledgement and validation (N = 70). Specific recommendations for managing GWI or its symptoms (N = 48) were also commonly reported to be helpful. In contrast, about a third of the responses indicated that nothing about the communication was helpful (N = 63). There were not differences in severity of symptoms, disability or healthcare utilization between patients who found acknowledgement and validation, specific recommendations or nothing helpful. CONCLUSIONS Previous research has documented the discord between patients and providers regarding MUS. This study suggests that most patients are able to identify something helpful a provider has said, particularly acknowledgement and validation and specific treatment recommendations. The findings also highlight missed communication opportunities with a third of patients not finding anything helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Anastasides
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Carmelen Chiusano
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Christina Gonzalez
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Fiona Graff
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - David R Litke
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erica McDonald
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Jennifer Presnall-Shvorin
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Nicole Sullivan
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Karen S Quigley
- Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, Bedford, 01730, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, 02115, MA, USA
| | - Wilfred R Pigeon
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY, USA
| | - Drew A Helmer
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Susan L Santos
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA
| | - Lisa M McAndrew
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07018, USA.
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave Ext, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
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Chew-Graham CA, Heyland S, Kingstone T, Shepherd T, Buszewicz M, Burroughs H, Sumathipala A. Medically unexplained symptoms: continuing challenges for primary care. Br J Gen Pract 2017; 67:106-7. [PMID: 28232334 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17X689473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Rasmussen EB, Rø KI. How general practitioners understand and handle medically unexplained symptoms: a focus group study. BMC Fam Pract 2018; 19:50. [PMID: 29720093 PMCID: PMC5932817 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-018-0745-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are a common yet challenging encounter in primary care. The aim of this study was to explore how general practitioners (GPs) understand and handle MUS. Methods Three focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 23 GPs. Participants with varied clinical experience were purposively recruited. The data were analysed thematically, using the concept of framing as an analytical lens. Results The GPs alternated between a biomedical frame, centred on disease, and a biopsychosocial frame, centred on the sick person. Each frame shaped the GPs’ understanding and handling of MUS. The biomedical frame emphasised the lack of objective evidence, problematized subjective patient testimony, and manifested feelings of uncertainty, doubt and powerlessness. This in turn complicated patient handling. In contrast, the biopsychosocial frame emphasised clinical experience, turned patient testimony into a valuable source of information, and manifested feelings of confidence and competence. This in turn made them feel empowered. The GPs with the least experience relied more on the biomedical frame, whereas their more seasoned seniors relied mostly on the biopsychosocial frame. Conclusion The biopsychosocial frame helps GPs to understand and handle MUS better than the biomedical frame does. Medical students should spend more time learning biopsychosocial medicine, and to integrate the clinical knowledge of their peers with their own. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12875-018-0745-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Børve Rasmussen
- Centre for the study of professions, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, P.O. Box. 4, St. Olavs plass, N-0130, Oslo, Norway.
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Thompson CM, Lin H, Parsloe S. Misrepresenting Health Conditions Through Fabrication and Exaggeration: An Adaptation and Replication of the False Alarm Effect. Health Commun 2018; 33:562-575. [PMID: 28278608 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2017.1283563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This article reports on a series of studies of the false alarm effect (FAE), suggesting that individuals' perceptions that relational partners are fabricating and exaggerating their health conditions are negatively associated with perceptions of health condition credibility, which in turn are associated with decreases in individuals' protective behaviors and attitudes. In Study One (N = 216), we took a mixed-methods approach to test an initial model predicting that health condition credibility mediates associations between individuals' perceptions that partners are fabricating and exaggerating and the extent to which individuals provide support, seek information about the condition, feel efficacious in their ability to assist partners, and believe that the condition is serious. We also analyzed open-ended responses to parse the source(s) of credibility lost when individuals believe partners are fabricating and exaggerating their health conditions. We found that they express doubt not only about the credibility of the health condition itself, but also about their partner's credibility in terms of trustworthiness. We then refined our conceptual model to account for these two sources of credibility and tested it with a path model in a second study utilizing a nationally representative sample (N = 508). Results supported our hypotheses. We discuss the implications of this research for how people present themselves as ill in personal relationships, and what happens when these presentations are unconvincing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hengjun Lin
- a School of Communication Studies , Ohio University
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Ndiok A, Ncama B. Assessment of palliative care needs of patients/families living with cancer in a developing country. Scand J Caring Sci 2018; 32:1215-1226. [PMID: 29573444 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study seeks to assess the care needs of oncology in-patients and clinic attendees or families in two tertiary health institutions. METHODS This was a descriptive study which utilised a quantitative survey questionnaire of all cancer patients diagnosed between January 2014 and September 2016 (n = 547) with the return rate (n = 455) representing 82%. The questionnaire explored assessment of palliative care need. These instruments were used, because patients with cancer and their families are reluctant to talk about the disease. Using a questionnaire was therefore the best means of obtaining their full participation. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics to identify the highest need of patients with cancer patients. The study was approved by the two participating hospitals and the Human and Social Sciences Research Ethics of University of KwaZulu-Natal. FINDINGS The study found that most common needs of patients were information on possibilities of treatment and side effects (92.8%), diagnosis (91.6%), testing (91.1%) and physical symptoms (90.9%). There were also other needs, such as psychological, spiritual and financial needs, related to factors causing distress to patients and their families following diagnosis of cancer. CONCLUSIONS This article focused on needs as expressed by patients and families and offers a useful guide to develop a model for integration of palliative care activities. The findings reveal that patients who are undergoing follow-up care and cancer treatment or investigation are clearly concerned about receiving information on a range of cancer issues. We therefore conclude that patients are able to deal with the disease more effectively when hospitals set up a palliative care team or unit to carry out proper assessment of patients living with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akon Ndiok
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.,University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Silverwood V, Chew-Graham C, Raybould I, Thomas B, Peters S. 'If it's a medical issue I would have covered it by now': learning about fibromyalgia through the hidden curriculum: a qualitative study. BMC Med Educ 2017; 17:160. [PMID: 28899390 PMCID: PMC5596866 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-017-0972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a long-term condition that affects between 1 and 5% of the general population and lies within the spectrum of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). FMS can be difficult to diagnose and is usually done so as a diagnosis of exclusion. There is continuing debate regarding its legitimacy excluding other causes of symptoms. It is known that the diagnosis and management of MUS, including FMS, receives little attention in medical curricula and attitudes towards patients with FMS amongst medical professionals and trainees can be negative. The purpose of this study was to investigate how attitudes and perspectives of undergraduate medical students towards FMS are acquired during their training. METHODS Qualitative interviews with 21 medical students were conducted to explore their views on FMS, encounters with patients with FMS, and where learning about FMS occurs. Participants were recruited from two English medical schools and the study was approved by two University Ethics committees. Interviews were digitally recorded with consent and data analysed thematically, using principles of constant comparison. RESULTS The data were organised within three themes: i) FMS is a complex, poorly understood condition; ii) multiple sources for learning about FMS; and iii) consequences of negative attitudes for patients with FMS. CONCLUSION Undergraduate medical students have limited understanding of, and are sceptical over the existence of FMS. These attitudes are influenced by the 'hidden curriculum' and witnessing attitudes and actions of their clinical teachers. Students interpret a lack of formal curriculum teaching around FMS to mean that it is not serious and hence a low priority. Encountering a patient, friend or family member with FMS can increase knowledge and lead to altered perceptions of the condition. Teaching and learning about FMS needs to be consistent to improve knowledge and attitudes of clinicians. Undergraduate students should be exposed to patients with FMS so that they better understand patients with FMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Silverwood
- Research Institute for Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK
| | - C.A. Chew-Graham
- Research Institute for Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK
- West Midlands CLAHRC, Westminster, Staffordshire UK
| | - I. Raybould
- Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
| | - B. Thomas
- Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
| | - S. Peters
- Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
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Aamland A, Fosse A, Ree E, Abildsnes E, Malterud K. Helpful strategies for GPs seeing patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms: a focus group study. Br J Gen Pract 2017; 67:e572-9. [PMID: 28673960 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17X691697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with long-lasting and disabling medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are common in general practice. GPs have previously described the challenges regarding management and treatment of patients with MUPS. AIM To explore GPs' experiences of the strategies perceived as helpful when seeing patients with MUPS. DESIGN AND SETTING Three focus group interviews with a purposive sample of 24 experienced GPs were held in southern Norway. METHOD Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed. Systematic text condensation was used for analysis. RESULTS Several strategies were considered helpful during consultations with patients with MUPS. A comprehensive outline of the patient's medical past and present could serve as the foundation of the dialogue. Reviewing the patient's records and sharing relevant information with them or conducting a thorough clinical examination could offer 'golden moments' of trust and common understanding. A very concrete exchange of symptoms and diagnosis interpretation sometimes created a space for explanations and action, and confrontations could even strengthen the alliance between the GP and the patient. Bypassing conventional answers and transcending tensions by negotiating innovative explanations could help patients resolve symptoms and establish innovative understanding. CONCLUSION GPs use tangible, down-to-earth strategies in consultations with patients with MUPS. Important strategies were: thorough investigation of the patient's symptoms and story; sharing of interpretations; and negotiation of different explanations. Sharing helpful strategies with colleagues in a field in which frustration and dissatisfaction are not uncommon can encourage GPs to develop sustainable responsibility and innovative solutions.
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McAndrew LM, Phillips LA, Helmer DA, Maestro K, Engel CC, Greenberg LM, Anastasides N, Quigley KS. High healthcare utilization near the onset of medically unexplained symptoms. J Psychosom Res 2017; 98:98-105. [PMID: 28554378 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with medically unexplained syndromes (MUS) often do not receive appropriate healthcare. A critical time for effective healthcare is the inception of MUS. The current study examined data from a prospective longitudinal study of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) soldiers to understand the relationship of increasing physical symptom burden to healthcare utilization. METHODS Data was examined from a prospective study of OEF/OIF soldiers assessed before and one year after deployment (n=336). Physical symptom burden was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Analyses were conducted with polynomial regression and response surface analysis (RSA). RESULTS Increases in physical symptom burden predicted greater healthcare utilization one year after deployment: primary care practitioner (slope=-0.26, F=4.07, p=0.04), specialist (slope=-0.43, F=8.67, p=0.003), allied health therapy (e.g., physical therapy) (slope=-0.41, F=5.71, p=0.02) and mental health (slope=-0.32, F=4.04, p=0.05). There were no significant difference in utilization between those with consistently high levels and those with increases in physical symptom burden. CONCLUSION This is the first prospective study to examine, and show, a relationship between onset of clinically significant physical symptoms and greater healthcare utilization. Our data suggest that patients with increasing physical symptom burden have the same level of healthcare as patients with chronic physical symptom burden. Needed next steps are to better understand the quality of care at inception and determine how to intervene so that recommended approaches to care are provided from the onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McAndrew
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, United States; Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, United States.
| | - L Alison Phillips
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, United States; Iowa State University, Department of Psychology, United States.
| | - Drew A Helmer
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, United States; Rutgers University Jersey Medical School, United States.
| | - Kieran Maestro
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, United States; Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, United States.
| | - Charles C Engel
- Behavioral and Policy Sciences, RAND Corporation, United States.
| | - Lauren M Greenberg
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, United States.
| | - Nicole Anastasides
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, United States.
| | - Karen S Quigley
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, Bedford, MA, United States; Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States.
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Abstract
Although there are many theories of functional movement disorders (FMD), the causes and prognosis remain unclear, and there are no treatments with high-quality empirical support. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an acceptance-based behavior therapy which, via altering a process called psychological flexibility, aims to support behaviors that are consistent with a person’s overarching values—even in difficult, uncertain, or immutable contexts. It may, therefore, have pragmatic benefits in the context of FMD. We outline the theoretical basis for ACT and detail a case study of a brief (six session) intervention for increasing personally meaningful activity with FMD. The participant was in her early 20s and had been diagnosed with functional propriospinal myoclonus. ACT techniques including relational framing, defusion, and mindfulness exercises were used to increase psychological flexibility, with the goal of enabling effective functioning within the difficult context created by FMD. Following treatment, the participant showed a reliable change/clinical recovery in psychological flexibility (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II [AAQ-II]), FMD symptom interference (Work and Social Adjustment Scale [WSAS]; primary outcome), and mood (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10-item scale [CORE-10]; secondary outcome). This case study demonstrates an approach that focuses first on improving functioning with FMD, as opposed to eliminating or controlling symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Graham
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Daniel J. O’Hara
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Steven Kemp
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
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Yon K, Habermann S, Rosenthal J, Walters KR, Nettleton S, Warner A, Lamahewa K, Buszewicz M. Improving teaching about medically unexplained symptoms for newly qualified doctors in the UK: findings from a questionnaire survey and expert workshop. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e014720. [PMID: 28450466 PMCID: PMC5719648 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) present frequently in healthcare, can be complex and frustrating for clinicians and patients and are often associated with overinvestigation and significant costs. Doctors need to be aware of appropriate management strategies for such patients early in their training. A previous qualitative study with foundation year doctors (junior doctors in their first 2 years postqualification) indicated significant lack of knowledge about this topic and appropriate management strategies. This study reviewed whether, and in what format, UK foundation training programmes for newly qualified doctors include any teaching about MUS and sought recommendations for further development of such training. DESIGN Mixed-methods design comprising a web-based questionnaire survey and an expert consultation workshop. SETTING Nineteen foundation schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaire administered via email to 155 foundation training programme directors (FTPDs) attached to the 19 foundation schools, followed by an expert consultation workshop attended by 13 medical educationalists, FTPDs and junior doctors. RESULTS The 53/155 (34.2%) FTPDs responding to the questionnaire represented 15 of the 19 foundation schools, but only 6/53 (11%) reported any current formal teaching about MUS within their programmes. However, most recognised the importance of providing such teaching, suggesting 2-3 hours per year. All those attending the expert consultation workshop recommended case-based discussions, role-play and the use of videos to illustrate positive and negative examples of doctor-patient interactions as educational methods of choice. Educational sessions should cover the skills needed to provide appropriate explanations for patients' symptoms as well as avoid unnecessary investigations, and providing information about suitable treatment options. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need to improve foundation level training about MUS, as current provision is very limited. An interactive approach covering a range of topics is recommended, but must be delivered within a realistic time frame for the curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Yon
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | | | - Joe Rosenthal
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Kate R Walters
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | | | - Alex Warner
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Kethakie Lamahewa
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Marta Buszewicz
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL, London, UK
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