Exploring the lived experiences of patients with fibromyalgia in the United Kingdom: a study of patient-general practitioner communication.

Objective: Fibromyalgia is often viewed as a contested illness, with individuals facing scepticism from healthcare providers, which can hinder their diagnostic and treatment experiences. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of individuals with fibromyalgia in the United Kingdom, focusin...

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Publicado en:Psychology & Health Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 717 - 739
Autores principales: Maher, Crystal, Gaffiero, Daniel
Formato: questionnaire/scale research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd May2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: May2026
      vid: 41
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/08870446.2025.2474013
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        atl: Exploring the lived experiences of patients with fibromyalgia in the United Kingdom: a study of patient-general practitioner communication.
      aug:
        au:
          Maher, Crystal
          Gaffiero, Daniel
        affil: Department of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, UK
      sug:
        subj:
          Fibromyalgia Therapy
          Life Experiences Evaluation
          Physician-Patient Relations Evaluation
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Middle Age
          United Kingdom
          Qualitative Studies
          Phenomenological Research
          Epistemology
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Audiorecording
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objective: Fibromyalgia is often viewed as a contested illness, with individuals facing scepticism from healthcare providers, which can hinder their diagnostic and treatment experiences. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of individuals with fibromyalgia in the United Kingdom, focusing on their interactions with general practitioners. Materials and methods: Six participants (one male, five females; mean age, 44.0 ± 13.7 years), all formally diagnosed with fibromyalgia, were recruited via social media. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the data, enabling the interpretation of participants' nuanced experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather detailed accounts of their diagnosis, treatment, and communication experiences. Results: Two primary themes emerged from the analysis. 'Challenges in obtaining accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment', reflected participants' feelings of invalidation and including sub-themes of 'medical mystery and misdiagnosis' and 'sex bias in healthcare'. 'Importance of trust in fibromyalgia management', highlighted the crucial role of trust in improving care, with sub-themes of 'positive impact of active listening' and 'improved trust over time'. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for a more patient-centred, compassionate, and collaborative approach to fibromyalgia management. Addressing trust, diagnostic accuracy, and sex bias may lead to better overall outcomes for fibromyalgia patients.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        questionnaire/scale
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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