title: A qualitative study of migraine involving patient researchers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Migraine is poorly managed in primary care despite a high level of morbidity. The majority of sufferers use non-prescription medications and are reluctant to seek help but the reasons for this are not understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop a research partnership between migraine sufferers and healthcare professionals to synthesise tacit and explicit knowledge in the area. Building upon this partnership, a further aim was to explore what it is to suffer with migraine from patients' perspectives in order to inform health service delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative interview study involving healthcare professionals and patient researchers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposeful sample of eight migraine sufferers who had attended a local intermediate care headache clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consensual qualitative approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Migraine had a high and unrecognised impact on quality of life. 'Handling the beast' was a central metaphor that resonated with the experience of all sufferers who sought to control their problem in different ways. Three major themes were identified: making sense of their problem; actively doing something about it either through self-help or professional advice; being resigned to it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite a significant impact on the quality of life of migraine sufferers and their families, their needs remain largely unmet. Useful insights can be obtained when patients and professionals work together in true partnership but the time and effort involved should not be underestimated. Further research is needed to identify why there are major deficiencies in delivering care in this common problem.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belam
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kernick
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: Krissy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindley
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McWatt
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reinhold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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