Exploring Adults’ and Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Fibromyalgia

Fiske, Olivia (2024) Exploring Adults’ and Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Fibromyalgia. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background: Research indicates the challenges people living with fibromyalgia face in healthcare due to lengthy diagnostic processes, unclear treatment guidance and unhelpful beliefs and attitudes from others. Pain management services have been identified as a positive resource, yet no research to date has explored pain clinicians’ perceptions of fibromyalgia. Equally, peer support appears to offer value to those living with fibromyalgia, but the evidence has not yet been synthesised in a meaningful way. This thesis aims to explore pain clinicians’ perceptions of fibromyalgia and adults’ experiences of living with fibromyalgia in the context of peer support.

Methods: A qualitative thematic synthesis of the literature was carried out by searching eight electronic databases to understand how peer support is experienced by people living with fibromyalgia and the impact of this. Concurrently, a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 12 pain clinicians was conducted. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: The systematic review synthesised evidence from 17 studies, producing three descriptive themes with five subthemes, and four analytical themes. The empirical research produced three themes, with two subthemes.

Conclusions: The systematic review highlighted a mostly positive regard for peer support in fibromyalgia, but identified how this may result in polarisation between healthcare professionals and those living with fibromyalgia. The empirical research identified perceptions of fibromyalgia which suggested awareness of challenges those living with the condition may have faced and a desire to provide alternative, more positive healthcare experiences. This portfolio highlighted the need for further understanding of fibromyalgia, allyship in services, and compassionate and equitable care.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Depositing User:	Jennifer Whitaker
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2024 16:14
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2024 09:42
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97598
DOI:

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