Aase Aamland 1 , Anette Fosse 1 , Eline Ree 2 , Eirik Abildsnes 3 , Kirsti Malterud 4 Show Affiliations »
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. © British Journal of General Practice 2017.
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. © British Journal of General Practice 2017.
Entities: Species
Keywords:
focus groups; general practice; professional practice; qualitative research; somatoform disorders
Mesh： See more »
Year: 2017
PMID： 28673960 PMCID： PMC5519129 DOI： 10.3399/bjgp17X691697
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Br J Gen Pract ISSN： 0960-1643 Impact factor: 5.386