The experiences of remote consulting for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and fibromyalgia: a qualitative study
The experiences of remote consulting for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and fibromyalgia: a qualitative study
Background: remote and digital consulting in primary care has rapidly expanded since March 2020. It is important to understand patient experiences, particularly for those living with complex long-term conditions, to identify how care can best be delivered, including within the remote space.
Aim: to explore the experiences of people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis [CFS/ME] and Fibromyalgia when consulting remotely in primary care.
Design & setting: semi-structured interviews with patients living with CFS/ME and fibromyalgia in general practice in England
Method: semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 participants. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically according to a Foucauldian theoretical framework.
Results: all participants highlighted needing to feel believed by clinicians. Many reported difficulties with telephone and online consulting due to the lack of physical communication. Positive outcomes were reported when there was a good relationship with a clinician. Continuity in care and recognising the complexity of these conditions were also considered important.
Conclusion: this study allowed people living with CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia to describe their experiences when consulting remotely. Participants highlighted needing to feel listened to and felt they benefited from an ongoing relationship with a clinician although this was difficult to achieve when consulting remotely. Some advantages of remoted consulting were reported, particularly when symptoms were troublesome. Flexible access systems with a range of consultation modalities or preferred clinician(s) availability could improve healthcare encounters, particularly given the increased use of remote consulting, in primary care.
Leach, Helen
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Eccles, Abi
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Chew-Graham, Carolyn A.
530beade-2b1c-4eea-846f-1fcef0585ca5
Atherton, Helen
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Leach, Helen
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Eccles, Abi
a4b3ae4d-5f92-405d-a8f1-b90ec4eb85cf
Chew-Graham, Carolyn A.
530beade-2b1c-4eea-846f-1fcef0585ca5
Atherton, Helen
9bb8932e-7bb7-4781-ab97-114613de99b1
Leach, Helen, Eccles, Abi, Chew-Graham, Carolyn A. and Atherton, Helen
(2024)
The experiences of remote consulting for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and fibromyalgia: a qualitative study.
BMJ Open.
(doi:10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0079).
Abstract
Background: remote and digital consulting in primary care has rapidly expanded since March 2020. It is important to understand patient experiences, particularly for those living with complex long-term conditions, to identify how care can best be delivered, including within the remote space.
Aim: to explore the experiences of people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis [CFS/ME] and Fibromyalgia when consulting remotely in primary care.
Design & setting: semi-structured interviews with patients living with CFS/ME and fibromyalgia in general practice in England
Method: semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 participants. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically according to a Foucauldian theoretical framework.
Results: all participants highlighted needing to feel believed by clinicians. Many reported difficulties with telephone and online consulting due to the lack of physical communication. Positive outcomes were reported when there was a good relationship with a clinician. Continuity in care and recognising the complexity of these conditions were also considered important.
Conclusion: this study allowed people living with CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia to describe their experiences when consulting remotely. Participants highlighted needing to feel listened to and felt they benefited from an ongoing relationship with a clinician although this was difficult to achieve when consulting remotely. Some advantages of remoted consulting were reported, particularly when symptoms were troublesome. Flexible access systems with a range of consultation modalities or preferred clinician(s) availability could improve healthcare encounters, particularly given the increased use of remote consulting, in primary care.
Text
BJGPO.2024.0079.full (1)
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 1 July 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 27 August 2024
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 487294
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/487294
ISSN: 2044-6055
PURE UUID: a6c32bc0-b778-4165-8d05-8acd0d8da718
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Date deposited: 16 Feb 2024 17:17
Last modified: 03 Sep 2024 02:13
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Contributors
Author:
Helen Leach
Author:
Abi Eccles
Author:
Carolyn A. Chew-Graham
Author:
Helen Atherton
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