title: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  GPs need evidence and guidance to help them diagnose and manage Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ME appropriately.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this survey was to obtain baseline data and identify the factors associated with GPs' attitudes to and knowledge of CFS/ME. The attitude of GPs to the condition is an important indicator of likely prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal questionnaire was sent to 1054 GPs served by Taunton, Bristol and Gloucester laboratories. GPs' attitudes to nine statements about CFS/ME were assessed and the factors associated with positive or negative responses were determined. Knowledge of the clinical features was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  811 GPs (77%) returned the questionnaire. 48% of GPs did not feel confident with making a diagnosis of CFS/ME and 41% did not feel confident in treatment. 72% of GPs accepted CFS/ME as a recognisable clinical entity and those GPs had significantly more positive attitudes. Three other key factors that were significantly, positively associated with GPs' attitudes were knowing someone socially with CFS/ME, being male and seeing more patients with the condition in the last year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the publication of guidance for GPs on CFS/ME, confidence with making a diagnosis and management was found to be low. Educational initiatives and guidance for GPs should stress the importance of accepting CFS/ME as a recognisable clinical entity, as this is linked to having a positive attitude and could lead to improved confidence to make a diagnosis and treat CFS/ME patients.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Agency Primary Care Unit, Gloucester, UK. jill.whiting@hpa.org.uk
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pheby
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charlett
authors.forename: Cliodna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McNulty
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family; D006113:United Kingdom