Making sense of symptoms, clinicians & systems: a qualitative evaluation of a facilitated support group for patients with [MUS], 2021, Marcinow et al

Abstract

Objectives
Health services to date have inadequately addressed the physical and mental health needs of patients with medically unexplained symptoms. This qualitative study evaluates a piloted facilitated support group (FSG) developed for patients with medically unexplained symptoms to inform recommendations and resources for this patient population.

Methods
Using a qualitative descriptive design, we conducted and thematically analyzed semi-structured interviews with participants (n = 8) and facilitators (n = 4) to explore their experiences of the facilitated support group. Common themes that captured strengths and challenges of the facilitated support group were identified.

Results
The following key themes were identified through analysis of the data: Participants described 1) feeling validated through sharing similar experiences with peers; 2) learning practical symptom management and coping strategies; and 3) gaining new perspectives for navigating conversations with PCPs.

Conclusions
Our findings show that a facilitated support group may provide additional forms of support and resources for patients with medically unexplained symptoms, filling a gap in currently available clinical care offered by health care professionals. Potential implications: This paper highlights lessons learned that can inform the design and delivery of future supports and resources directed toward optimizing patient care for this underserved patient population. Our findings are relevant to those who are involved in direct patient care or involved in designing and implementing self-management programs.

Open access, https://bmcfampract.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-021-01495-9

 

Alternative alternative medicine: it doesn't work either but it's much more expensive!

What problem does that solve? None. Literally all the "benefits" are simply making up for willful neglect. This is like someone busying themselves doing meaningless chores instead of doing their actual job. In the end it's still "work", just meaningless, and nothing gets accomplished. Who benefits from this? Not a damn person.

 

What purpose does this serve? There are already loads of support groups for all sorts of conditions available on the web - although I must admit that I've never looked for one for MUS, and am not sure how such a group would work.

I'd love to know what a facilitator for such a group would actually do. After all, the whole point of many support groups is for people to ask for suggestions for self-help and how they might make themselves feel better. In forums that I've read now and in the past people have talked about fatigue, insomnia, hypersomnia, depression, anxiety, constipation, diarrhoea, toothache, headaches, sore muscles, cramp, spots, eczema, psoriasis, rashes - and this list could go on and on and on.

But of course, a facilitated MUS group which was run by a commercial company would cost money and they would want to make a profit - so the last thing that they would want is for members of the public to actually help each other because their customer base might escape!

 

Asked

And answered. Profit-seeking or not, it's to create something for the sake of being able to say that there's already something and it's good enough what more could you possibly ask?