"Can Someone as Young as You Really Feel That Much Pain?" - A Survey on How People With Fibromyalgia Experience Healthcare in Sweden.

Research show that fibromyalgia has low credibility in healthcare, leading to poor treatment, lack of knowledge and disinterest. Therefore, people with fibromyalgia feel frustration, fear, anxiety and disappointment. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of people with fibromyalgia in their encounters with healthcare personnel in Sweden. Method: A cross-sectional design, where 409 people with fibromyalgia answered an anonymous online patient-reported experience measure, developed specific for the study, with six closed questions and one open-ended question. Descriptive statistics were analysed by response frequencies. Correlation analysis were performed between demographic and clinical variables with the answers from the closed questions. Free-text answers were analysed with content analysis. Results: A third experienced the treatment as bad (34%) and that they were not being taken seriously (30.5%). Almost half (47%) always or mostly felt fear of seeking healthcare related to fibromyalgia and that the health care personnel did not understand their diagnosis (46%). The majority (54%) experienced that the health care personnel did not understand how fibromyalgia affected them or how they could help them. The findings were confirmed in the free-text answers that were categorized into: Scepticism and disregard, Ignorance and disinterest and Professionalism and empathy. There were positive significant correlations between age and five of the questions (ρ = .105-.181, p < .05-p < .01), indicating that lower age is correlated with a worse experience. Furthermore, the duration of fibromyalgia showed a significant correlation with feeling afraid of seeking healthcare because of fibromyalgia (ρ = .144, p < .01), the shorter duration, the greater was the fear of seeking healthcare. Conclusion: As a third of patients with fibromyalgia had bad experiences with healthcare, especially younger patients, knowledge about fibromyalgia needs to be increased and the patients should be taken seriously and treated respectfully, as well as given adequate support.

Feasibility and Effects of a Nursing Intervention for Patients with Peripheral Vestibular Disorders.

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility and possible outcomes of a nursing intervention in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: Thirty-six patients participated in the study: the intervention group (n = 18), who received the intervention, and patients in a control group (n = 18), who received standard care. The intervention includes patient education and individualized nursing support during a 6-month rehabilitation period. Outcomes were symptoms, well-being, sense of coherence, and self-care measured at baseline before randomization and at 6 and 9 months later. FINDINGS: At the 9-month follow up, the patients who received the intervention rated significantly fewer vertigo-related symptoms and a higher sense of coherence than the control group. CONCLUSION: The intervention was feasible and seems to support the patients to manage symptoms, but confirmative studies are warranted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patient education in combination with individual support may be beneficial to help patients with peripheral disorders during their rehabilitation.