A Literature Review of GP Knowledge and Understanding of ME/CFS: A Report from the Socioeconomics Working Group of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE)

Derek Pheby; Diana Araja; Uldis Berkis; Elenka Brenna; John Cullinan; Jean-Dominique de Korwin; Lara Gitto; Dyfrig Hughes; Rachael Hunter; Dominic Trepel; Xia Wang-Steverding

doi:10.20944/preprints202011.0735.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 27 November 2020 / Approved: 30 November 2020 / Online: 30 November 2020 (15:44:20 CET)

Background and Objectives The socioeconomics working group of the European ME/CFS Research Network (EUROMENE) has conducted a review of the literature pertaining to GPs’ knowledge and understanding of ME/CFS. Materials and Methods A MEDLINE search was carried out. The papers identified were reviewed following the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) methodology, and were classified according to the focus of the enquiry (patients, GPs, database and medical record studies, evaluation of a training programme, and overview papers), and whether they were quantitative or qualitative in nature. Results 33 papers were identified in the MEDLINE search. The quantitative surveys of GPs demonstrated that a third to a half of all GPs did not accept ME/CFS as a genuine clinical entity and, even when they did, they lacked confidence in diagnosing or managing it. Patient surveys indicated that a similar proportion of patients was dissatisfied with the primary medical care they had received. These findings were consistent with the findings of the qualitative studies that were examined, and have changed little over several decades. Conclusions Lack of knowledge and understanding of ME/CFS among GPs is widespread, and the resultant diagnostic delays constitute a risk factor for severe and prolonged disease. Failure to diagnose ME/CFS renders problematic attempts to determine its prevalence, and hence its economic impact.

ME/CFS; myalgic encephalomyelitis; chronic fatigue syndrome; primary care; GP knowledge and understanding

MEDICINE & PHARMACOLOGY, Allergology

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A Literature Review of GP Knowledge and Understanding of ME/CFS: A Report from the Socioeconomics Working Group of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE)

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