"You kind of want to fix it don't you?" Exploring general practice trainees' experiences of managing patients with medically unexplained symptoms

BMC Medical Education
Mary HowmanMarta Buszewicz

Abstract

Much of a General Practitioner's (GP) workload consists of managing patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). GP trainees are often taking responsibility for looking after people with MUS for the first time and so are well placed to reflect on this and the preparation they have had for it; their views have not been documented in detail in the literature. This study aimed to explore GP trainees' clinical and educational experiences of managing people presenting with MUS. A mixed methods approach was adopted. All trainees from four London GP vocational training schemes were invited to take part in a questionnaire and in-depth semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire explored educational and clinical experiences and attitudes towards MUS using Likert scales and free text responses. The interviews explored the origins of these views and experiences in more detail and documented ideas about optimising training about MUS. Interviews were analysed using the framework analysis approach. Eighty questionnaires out of 120 (67%) were returned and a purposive sample of 15 trainees interviewed. Results suggested most trainees struggled to manage the uncertainty inherent in MUS consultations, feeling they often over-investigate...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 25, 2017·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Olaug S Lian, Catherine Robson
Jan 30, 2019·The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·Kethakie LamahewaIrwin Nazareth
Feb 13, 2019·Irish Journal of Medical Science·Jane O'DohertyAndrew O'Regan
May 4, 2018·BMC Family Practice·Erik Børve Rasmussen, Karin Isaksson Rø
Jun 20, 2018·BMC Family Practice·Kate SitnikovaJohannes C van der Wouden
Aug 29, 2020·Perspectives on Medical Education·Frances KilbertusDouglas Archibald
Apr 27, 2018·The American Journal of Bioethics : AJOB·Mark Henderson Arnold, Ian Kerridge
Sep 19, 2021·International Journal of Clinical Practice·Julie Goutte, Pascal Cathébras

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