Provider Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Lyme Disease in Arkansas

Abstract

Lyme disease (LD), a vector-borne disease, causes illness for many individuals in the United States. All of the conditions for the promulgation of LD are present in one Southern state in the United States; yet this state reports lower numbers of LD than adjacent states. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between this Southern state's primary care providers' knowledge and attitudes regarding the diagnosis and reporting of LD. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted via a mailed questionnaire by the Arkansas Department of Health to 2,693 primary care providers. Respondents were 660 primary care providers from all regions of this state. Secondary data were analyzed using descriptive, Chi square, and logistic regression techniques. Analysis results included the following: a correct response rate of 59.1 % for symptom recognition, of 46.2 % for knowledge of recommended testing processes, and of 78.9 % for knowing LD is a reportable disease. These results compared to the expected norm were significant in every area with p values of .000. Specialty, region, and years of practice were found to be confounding influences in a number of assessment areas.

Lyme Disease: Giving Voice to the Illness Experience-An Exploratory Descriptive Study

“…While the current study certainly adds to the literature regarding the experiences of those suffering with Lyme disease, still much is to be done. Research that is available in relation to the suffering Lyme patients' experience and the controversies surrounding the illness paints a bleak picture for Lyme suffers (Ali et al, 2014;Ferguson, 2012;Hill & Holmes, 2015;Johnson et al, 2011;Rebman et al, 2017;van den Wijngaard et al, 2015). Future work is warranted on: 1) the examination of protocols and treatments to help alleviate the suffering of Lyme patients, 2) the examination of updated diagnostic measures for Lyme disease that produce accurate results, and 3) the examination of the medical and societal construction of the disease in order to eradicate the stigma, myths, and controversial/contested milieu surrounding the illness.…”

“…The apparent reason for the lag in research seemingly stems from the controversy surrounding the illness. That is, issues surrounding diagnostic testing for Lyme disease, recognition by the medical community that Lyme disease and chronic Lyme disease exist, and set protocols for treatment of the illness (Ali, Vitulano, Lee, Weiss, & Colson, 2014;Ferguson, 2012;Hill & Holmes, 2015;Horowitz, 2017;Johnson, Aylward, & Stricker, 2011;Rebman, Aucott, Weinstein, Bechtold, Smith, & Leonard, 2017).…”

The Controversies, Challenges and Complexities of Lyme Disease: A Narrative Review

“…Lyme disease represents a serious challenge for global and national health organizations. 1,2,3,45,75 It is a complex and debilitating illness with patients experiencing both acute and persistent manifestations, which impair quality of life, and yet are poorly understood. 45 Despite growing global incidence of the Lyme disease, treatment has not attracted pharmaceutical investment, and the evidence base and international guidelines for treatment and management of chronic Lyme continue to be conflicting and controversial.…”

Prévention et prise en charge de la maladie de Lyme : de la complexité et de la nécessité d’intégrer divers déterminants psychosociaux

“…Les spécificités comportementales, individuelles et locales de ces pratiques comportementales préventives se reflètent dans l'approche locale et particulière des travaux sur la prévention de la maladie de Lyme, situées dans la majorité de cas en Europe du nord, au Canada ainsi que dans plusieurs états nord-américains [1,15,16].…”

“…Comme dans le cas de la prévention, mais ici concernant la prise en charge médicale, il apparaît un décalage entre connaissances théoriques d'une part et d'autre part attitudes et pratiques vis-à-vis des symptômes et en général de la maladie [16]. En effet, les pratiques quotidiennes des médecins et les lignes de conduite autour de la prise en charge de la maladie de Lyme ne sont pas toutes concordantes, ce qui rend les décisions autour du diagnostic et des traitements à suivre très délicates et fort diversifiées.…”