Decision making by physiotherapists in assessing and treating fibromyalgia patients: qualitative interview analysis study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47540/ijqr.v6i1.2671Keywords:
Fibromyalgia, Pain, Patient Care, Physiotherapists, Qualitative ResearchAbstract
Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifactorial disease characterized by chronic pain, associated with patient and professional dissatisfaction with the available treatment. Objective: to evaluate perceptions about decision-making for assessment and treatment. Methods: Qualitative study in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. The full interview script contains 43 questions lasting 60 minutes, 2 sections with 7 questions were used in this study. Results: 27 physiotherapists were interviewed, and 7 subcategories were identified. The assessment procedures were physical examination and use of scales and questionnaires. Barriers to treatment were beliefs and adherence, and facilities involved the patient's level of knowledge and time since diagnosis. Conclusion: Physiotherapists face difficulties in assessments related to clinical picture and diagnosis. Physiotherapy treatment can be made difficult or facilitated by biopsychosocial aspects, and the treatment objectives are the management of pain and symptoms of the disease.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Monique Oliveira dos Santos, Izabel Crystina Mota Gois, Francielly Azevedo da Silva , Milena de Jesus da Silva, Mariana Arias Avila Vera, Josimari Melo DeSantana
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