"Understand your illness and your needs": Assessment-informed patient education for people with multiple functional somatic syndromes. Issue 9 (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frølund Pedersen, H.; Holsting, A.; Frostholm, L.; Rask, C.; Jensen, J.S.; Høeg, M.D.; Schröder, A.
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 102:Issue 9(2019)
• Page Start: 1662
• Page End: 1671
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Patient education -- Bodily distress syndrome -- Multiple functional somatic syndrome -- Symptom reduction -- Illness perception -- Treatment expectation -- Fibromyalgia -- Irritable bowel syndrome -- Chronic fatigue syndrome; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.04.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Multiple functional somatic syndromes (FSS) may be difficult to diagnose and treat. We tested a short intervention across various FSS using a unifying diagnosis. We used clinical assessment, group-based patient education and one consultation. The intervention reduced illness worry and improved illness beliefs (IB). Targeting IB in patient education across various FSS is feasible using a unifying term. Abstract: Objectives: Patients suffering from multiple functional somatic syndromes (FSS) such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or irritable bowel syndrome, often lack both a clear diagnosis and tangible illness explanations, which is a barrier for treatment engagement. We tested a short-term intervention taking the unifying concept of Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) as a point of departure. The intervention consisted of a clinical assessment, group-based patient education, and one follow-up consultation. Methods: 174 patients were included and received questionnaires at baseline, after clinical assessment, after patient education, and median 19 weeks after baseline. Data were analyzed using random effects models and simple t-tests. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results: We found small reductions in symptom levels, considerable reductions in illness worry, and improvement of illness perceptions and illness-related behaviors. Overall, patients evaluated the intervention positively and expressed high expectations for further treatment. Qualitative results mainly supported these findings. Conclusion: Targeting illness perceptions through patient education is crucial to obtain patient engagement in self-help management or further treatment. This may lead to improved outcomes. Practical implications: Physicians in primary and secondary care should strive to give patients with multiple FSS a clear understanding that their various FSS diagnoses are related and provide tangible illness explanations.