TABLE 2.
Ratings of challenges and barriers in diagnosing, treating and relating to patients with fibromyalgia: Online survey responses
| Diagnosis | Total (n=328) | GPs (n=189) | Specialists (n=139) | Z | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agreement with statements: 1 = completely disagree, 5 = completely agree | |||||
| Use of ACR criteria in practice | 3.59±1.03 | 3.65±1.02 | 3.51±1.05 | –1.05 | 0.29 |
| Fibromyalgia is diagnosable | 3.74±0.93 | 3.73±0.90 | 3.75±0.98 | –0.39 | 0.70 |
| Statement represents a barrier: 1 = not at all, 5 = to a great extent | |||||
| Unclear diagnostic criteria/guidelines | 3.08±1.11 | 3.16±1.11 | 2.97±1.093 | –1.18 | 0.24 |
| Confidence in using ACR criteria in diagnosis | 2.83±1.09 | 2.97±1.06 | 2.64±1.10 | –2.50 | 0.01 |
| Ability to diagnose fibromyalgia | 2.91±1.09 | 3.08±1.05 | 2.66±1.10 | –3.11 | 0.002 |
| Treatment | |||||
| Statement represents a barrier: 1 = not at all, 5 = to a great extent | |||||
| Knowledge of treatments | 2.73±1.05 | 2.87±1.03 | 2.52±1.04 | –2.80 | 0.01 |
| Knowledge of monitoring treatment response | 3.07±1.06 | 3.21±1.10 | 2.87±0.99 | –2.77 | 0.01 |
| Knowledge of monitoring tools | 3.45±0.95 | 3.59±0.89 | 3.23±1.00 | –3.32 | 0.00 |
| Ability to evaluate response to treatment | 3.01±1.01 | 3.12±1.02 | 2.85±0.98 | –2.24 | 0.03 |
| Therapeutic relationship | |||||
| Agreement with statements: 1 = completely disagree, 5 = completely agree | |||||
| Fibromyalgia patients are not proactive | 3.06±0.92 | 3.04±0.93 | 3.09±0.91 | –0.75 | 0.75 |
| Fibromyalgia patients are malingerers | 1.99±1.06 | 2.13±1.11 | 1.79±0.93 | –2.52 | 0.01 |
| Fibromyalgia patients are time consuming, frustrating | 3.91±0.90 | 4.02±0.86 | 3.75±0.92 | –2.54 | 0.01 |
| Statement represents a barrier: 1 = not at all, 5 = to a great extent | |||||
| Ability to provide psychological support | 3.32±1.23 | 3.35±1.20 | 3.28±1.28 | –0.37 | 0.71 |
| Ability to establish a positive working relationship | 2.88±1.15 | 2.92±1.159 | 2.82±1.15 | –0.75 | 0.46 |
| Ability to manage patients’ expectations | 3.52±1.02 | 3.57±1.020 | 3.45±1.03 | –1.07 | 0.28 |
| Ability to establish successful communication and dialogue | 2.72±1.10 | 2.71±1.087 | 2.73±1.11 | –0.21 | 0.836 |
| Ability to quantify disability for insurance purposes | 3.85±1.20 | 4.02±1.165 | 3.59±1.21 | –3.28 | 0.001 |
| Knowledge and skill in completing disability applications | 3.53±1.22 | 3.78±1.147 | 2.85±1.23 | –4.36 | 0.00 |
Data presented as mean ± SD. Items were rated on five-point Likert scales indicating level of agreement with the statement presented or extent to which the statement provided describes a barrier to practice. Results are presented for the entire sample as well as for general practitioners (GPs) and specialists separately. Nonparametric testing (Mann-Whitney) was performed. ACR American College of Rheumatology