Objectives: To determine the views of Slovenian family physicians on medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) and learn more about potential types of treatment for such patients. Methods: Five focus groups, comprising 24 family medicine physicians (FMPs) from two Slovenian University centres, were convened. Conversations were led towards the research objectives by professionally trained researchers and followed a preliminarily established protocol. Qualitative content analysis of audio and transcripts of the discussions was performed using ATLAS.ti software to establish categories ('codes') relevant to issues regarding MUS. Results: Slovenian FMPs emphasized the importance of good communication and trust between physicians and patients with MUS. Systemic barriers to effective management of MUS arising from the Slovenian health system were highlighted. FMPs stressed the need for more education in the recognition and treatment of MUS in primary care. From the discussions, 64 codes comprising broader research fields of MUS were developed, then grouped into a further eight categories: communication; doctor-patient relationship; causes of MUS; patient characteristics; physician characteristics; courses of action so far; positive relationship with patients; proposals for treatment. Conclusions:The results are valuable in terms of investigating the treatment of patients with MUS in Slovenia, thereby opening new avenues of research on the subject of MUS.
IntroductionMedically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are very common in family medicine, despite being a poorly-defined clinical entity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention (EI) on self-rated quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and the family physician-patient relationship in patients with MUS.MethodsIn a multi-centre longitudinal intervention study, which was performed between 2012 and 2014, patients were asked to rate their quality of life, assess their depression, anxiety, stress and somatisation, complete the Hypochondriasis Index, the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale and the Patient Enablement Instrument for assessing the physician-patient relationship, before and after the EI.ResultsThe mean values before and after the intervention showed that after the EI, patients with MUS gave a lower (total) mean rating of their health issues and a higher rating of their quality of life, and they also had a more positive opinion of their relationship with the physician (p<0.05). However, there were no differences in the (total) rating of treatment satisfaction before and after the EI (p=0.423). Significant differences in the symptoms in patients with MUS before and after the intervention were confirmed for stress, somatisation and hypochondriasis (p<0.05).ConclusionsIt could be beneficial to equip family physicians with the knowledge, skills and tools to reduce hypochondriasis and somatisation in MUS patients, which would improve patients’ self-rated health status.
Purpose: The aim of our research was to determine how many people use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and how the use of CAM depends on the gender, age, education, and the living environment of each individual person. We wanted to determine the level of fondness for the providers of CAM and define the most popular alternative medicinal preparations. Methods: The cross-sectional study was based on an anonymous questionnaire sent to the houses of a randomly selected sample (N=1000) of adults from the Republic of Slovenia in April 2009. The sample was selected using the telephone book. The data was statistically analysed using the chi-square method and t-test, depending on the nature of the variables. Results: The survey was returned and answered correctly by 410 (41.0%) subjects. According to the results, complementary and alternative medicine was used by 9.0% of the subjects. The use of CAM was independent of age, gender, education, and the living environment. According to the point scale, homeopathy was trusted by 16.9% of people, followed by healers who were trusted by 11.0%. From a statistical point of view, homeopaths were much more trusted by people who had completed a secondary education. The most popular medicinal preparations were herbs and different types of tea (74.4%), followed by vitamins and minerals (69.0%). Homeopathic preparations were used by 4.6% of people. Conclusion: We confirmed a 9.0% presence of alternative medicine in Slovenia, not taking into account herbal medicines, treatments with herbal preparations or tea, and acupuncture. We also have established that 11.0% of the population trust healers and only 16.9% of the population trust homeopaths.
Purpose: The purpose of our study was to identify the beliefs and viewpoints of family medicine physicians (FMPs) on the approaches to identify and treat medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). Methods: We used qualitative and quantitative research methods, and prepare a purposive sample for the implementation of five focus groups (three in Maribor and two in Ljubljana) between July and September 2011. The findings were used as questions in the quantitative part of the study applying random sampling (n = 90). FMPs were invited throughout Slovenia to participate in our study (January – March 2012). Analysis of qualitative material was performed using ATLAS.ti 7 software, and quantitative data were statistically processed using SPSS 21.0. Results: In the process of coding, we created 64 codes, which were categorized into 8 categories. In the quantitative part, we received responses from 63 (70%) of the invited FMPs, 84.1% (n = 53) and 77.8% (n = 49) of whom stressed the importance of MUS prevention and treatment, and the importance of good communication, respectively. Of the 63 FMPs, 93.7% (n = 59) were of the opinion that patients with MUS leave feeling exhausted. As potential reasons for MUS, FMPs described problems in patients’ interactions with their surroundings (100%, n = 63), past and current stressful events (96.8%, n=61), and occult psychiatric diseases (68.3%, n = 43). The quality of MUS patient care would improve with more education in the field of basic psychotherapeutic techniques, difficult patient approaches (95.2%, n = 60), and communication skills (95.2%, n = 60). Conclusion: We found that Slovenian FMPs place a strong emphasis on prevention and treatment of patients with MUS, and these patients generally leave them feeling tired and frustrated.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated osteoporosis cases prior to hip fracture, to determine if there are more patients with diagnosed and treated osteoporosis from model family medicine practices compared to standard family medicine practice patients, and to determine the proportion of patients initiating osteoporosis therapy after discharge from hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, qualitative study at the Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Dr. Jože Potrč Ptuj, Slovenia, using patient records from the period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016, including data analysis of patient discharge letters.Results: The analysis used data from 145 patients, 26 men (17.9%) and 119 women (82.1%). The mean age was 82.7 (±6.8) years. At discharge, 70.4% (81 out of 115) of patients were mobile and 28.3% (41 out of 145) of these were discharged and allowed to return home. The study showed that osteoporosis prior to hip fracture was undiagnosed and untreated in 94.5% (137 out of 145) of cases. Osteoporosis therapy was initiated at discharge in only 7.1% (10 out of 140) of patients, and recommendations to initiate osteoporosis therapy at discharge were provided in 15.0% (21 out of 140). There was no significant difference between model family medicine practice patients (5 out of 91; 5.5%) and patients from standard family medicine practices (8.1%; 3 out of 37) in the proportion of patients treated for osteoporosis prior to hospitalization due to hip fracture (p>0.05).Conclusion: The study concluded that the prevalence proportion of undiagnosed osteoporosis is quite high and that, despite all recommendations and guidelines, management of osteoporotic hip fractures still remains a major challenge at all levels of healthcare.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.