OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess the awareness and knowledge of family physicians about diagnostic and clinical features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), and to evaluate the contribution of rheumatology education to the improvement of this knowledge. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire on FS was completed by 172 family physicians. A composite score, based on five items, was constructed to quantitatively assess knowledge of FS (maximum score of 5). A comparison was made between physicians exposed to extensive education on FS (in Beer Sheva medical centre) and physicians without such exposure (in other centres). RESULTS: Ninety-six per cent of the physicians claimed to be familiar with FS. They recognized most of the FS-related symptoms, but had limited knowledge of the diagnostic criteria, treatment modalities and prognosis. Only 55% knew that FS is associated with widespread pain and 25% were familiar with the point count criterion. Physicians trained in Beer Sheva scored significantly higher than those trained elsewhere: 3.0 +/- 1.2 versus 2.4 +/- 1.2, respectively (P = 0.006), and their knowledge of FS treatment was significantly better. CONCLUSION: Family physicians in Israel are quite unfamiliar with the diagnostic criteria of FS, though educational exposure improves their awareness and knowledge.
OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess the awareness and knowledge of family physicians about diagnostic and clinical features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), and to evaluate the contribution of rheumatology education to the improvement of this knowledge. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire on FS was completed by 172 family physicians. A composite score, based on five items, was constructed to quantitatively assess knowledge of FS (maximum score of 5). A comparison was made between physicians exposed to extensive education on FS (in Beer Sheva medical centre) and physicians without such exposure (in other centres). RESULTS: Ninety-six per cent of the physicians claimed to be familiar with FS. They recognized most of the FS-related symptoms, but had limited knowledge of the diagnostic criteria, treatment modalities and prognosis. Only 55% knew that FS is associated with widespread pain and 25% were familiar with the point count criterion. Physicians trained in Beer Sheva scored significantly higher than those trained elsewhere: 3.0 +/- 1.2 versus 2.4 +/- 1.2, respectively (P = 0.006), and their knowledge of FS treatment was significantly better. CONCLUSION: Family physicians in Israel are quite unfamiliar with the diagnostic criteria of FS, though educational exposure improves their awareness and knowledge.
Authors: Shlomo Bloom; Jacob N Ablin; David Lebel; Ehud Rath; Yifat Faran; Shir Daphna-Tekoah; Dan Buskila Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2012-07-22 Impact factor: 2.631
Authors: Mary-Ann Fitzcharles; Peter A Ste-Marie; Don L Goldenberg; John X Pereira; Susan Abbey; Manon Choinière; Gordon Ko; Dwight E Moulin; Pantelis Panopalis; Johanne Proulx; Yoram Shir Journal: Pain Res Manag Date: 2013 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.037
Authors: A Klement; W Häuser; W Brückle; U Eidmann; E Felde; M Herrmann; H Kühn-Becker; M Offenbächer; M Settan; M Schiltenwolf; M von Wachter; W Eich Journal: Schmerz Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 1.107
Authors: Jinong Feng; Zhifang Zhang; Xiwei Wu; Allen Mao; Frances Chang; Xutao Deng; Harry Gao; Ching Ouyang; Kenneth J Dery; Keith Le; Jeffrey Longmate; Claudia Marek; R Paul St Amand; Theodore G Krontiris; John E Shively Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-06-10 Impact factor: 3.240