Multiple symptoms and health anxiety in primary care: a qualitative study of tensions and collaboration between patients and family physicians.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with multiple, persistent symptoms and health anxiety often report poor health outcomes. Patients who are difficult to reassure are challenging for family physicians. The therapeutic alliance between a physician and a patient can influence the prognosis of these patients. Optimising the quality of the physician-patient alliance may depend on a better understanding of the interpersonal processes that influence this relationship.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of patients who experience multiple persistent symptoms or high health anxiety and their physicians when they interact.

Design, participants and setting

A qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory of 18 patients, purposively sampled to select pa

SUBMITTER: Le TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9014049 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature