Patients' views: improving care for people with fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research is to provide healthcare professionals with patients' views on improving care for people with fibromyalgia.


BACKGROUND
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that often challenges patients and healthcare professionals. Current literature suggests that the people with fibromyalgia are disempowered by their interactions with physicians. Soliciting patients' suggestions for improving care can be helpful in identifying weaknesses and strengths in current physician-patient interactions, and in improving future care.


METHODS
Forty-two participants with fibromyalgia submitted written responses to open-ended questions about their experiences with physicians, and how care could be improved.


RESULTS
Positive interactions with physicians referenced care quality, feelings of respect and patient involvement. Negative interactions included receiving inadequate care, perceiving the physician to be uncaring and lacking knowledge of fibromyalgia.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike most research suggests, the majority of patients with fibromyalgia report having positive interactions with physicians. However, suggestions for improving care are similar throughout the literature, reinforcing the need for supportive care, empathetic listening and increased knowledge of alternative treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients' recommendations identified in this study can be implemented by nurses involved in providing supportive care and education to patients with fibromyalgia. Application of patients' recommendations may facilitate the creation of therapeutic alliances and improve patients' satisfaction with care.
Research Coordinator, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Chair, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, CanadaMasters Student, Education Department, University of Northern BC, Prince George, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Natasha A
NA
Egeli
Research Coordinator, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Chair, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, CanadaMasters Student, Education Department, University of Northern BC, Prince George, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Valorie A
VA
Crooks
Research Coordinator, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Chair, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, CanadaMasters Student, Education Department, University of Northern BC, Prince George, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Deborah
D
Matheson
Research Coordinator, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Chair, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, CanadaMasters Student, Education Department, University of Northern BC, Prince George, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Marina
M
Ursa
Research Coordinator, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Chair, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, CanadaMasters Student, Education Department, University of Northern BC, Prince George, BC, CanadaUniversity College Professor, Psychology Department, Malaspina University College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Elliott
E
Marchant
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult
chronic pain; fibromyalgia; patient‐centred care; physician–patient relationships