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Overcoming the barriers to the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME in primary care: a meta synthesis of qualitative studies.
- Source :
- BMC Family Practice; 2014, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p44-64, 21p, 1 Diagram, 1 Chart
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: The NICE guideline for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) emphasises the need for an early diagnosis in primary care with management tailored to patient needs. However, GPs can be reluctant to make a diagnosis and are unsure how to manage people with the condition. Methods: A meta synthesis of published qualitative studies was conducted, producing a multi-perspective description of barriers to the diagnosis and management of CFS/ME, and the ways that some health professionals have been able to overcome them. Analysis provided second-order interpretation of the original findings and developed third-order constructs to provide recommendations for the medical curriculum. Results: Twenty one qualitative studies were identified. The literature shows that for over 20 years health professionals have reported a limited understanding of CFS/ME. Working within the framework of the biomedical model has also led some GPs to be sceptical about the existence of the condition. GPs who provide a diagnosis tend to have a broader, multifactorial, model of the condition and more positive attitudes towards CFS/ME. These GPs collaborate with patients to reach agreement on symptom management, and use their therapeutic skills to promote self care. Conclusions: In order to address barriers to the diagnosis and management of CFS/ME in primary care, the limitations of the biomedical model needs to be recognised. A more flexible bio-psychosocial approach is recommended where medical school training aims to equip practitioners with the skills needed to understand, support and manage patients and provide a pathway to refer for specialist input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CHRONIC fatigue syndrome diagnosis
ATTITUDE (Psychology)
CHRONIC fatigue syndrome
CINAHL database
CURRICULUM
ETHNIC groups
HEALTH services accessibility
PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems
MEDICAL personnel
PATIENT-professional relations
MEDICAL protocols
STUDY & teaching of medicine
MEDLINE
MINORITIES
ONLINE information services
PRIMARY health care
SYSTEMATIC reviews
QUALITATIVE research
THEMATIC analysis
DISEASE prevalence
HEALTH literacy
META-synthesis
SYMPTOMS
PREVENTION
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14712296
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Family Practice
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 95012319
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-15-44