Experiences of general practitioners explaining central sensitisation to patients with persistent physical symptoms: a focus group study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Patients with persistent physical symptoms (PPS) require an explanation that is acceptable and comprehensible to them. Central sensitisation (CS) is an explanatory model for PPS and chronic pain that has been broadly applied in the context of pain medicine, but, until recently, not by general practitioners (GPs). We explored how GPs used the CS model in their consultations with patients with PPS.

Design and setting

A qualitative focus group study among GPs in the Netherlands.

Methods

We instructed 33 GPs on how to explain CS to patients with PPS. After 0.5-1.5 years of using the CS model, 26 GPs participated in focus groups and interviews to report and discuss their experiences with CS as an explanatory model. Audio recordings were transcribed and two resear

SUBMITTER: den Boer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9330311 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature