Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study
Abstract Background Fatigue is a common symptom in primary healthcare, affecting 10–30% of patients, and is associated with increased healthcare consumption and functional disability. There is a lack of standardised guidelines to assess and treat patients with fatigue, and little is known about how...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02891-1 |
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| author | Conrad Samuelsson Lisa Gunnarsson Frank Svärdman Christian Rück Elin Lindsäter |
| author_facet | Conrad Samuelsson Lisa Gunnarsson Frank Svärdman Christian Rück Elin Lindsäter |
| author_sort | Conrad Samuelsson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Fatigue is a common symptom in primary healthcare, affecting 10–30% of patients, and is associated with increased healthcare consumption and functional disability. There is a lack of standardised guidelines to assess and treat patients with fatigue, and little is known about how patients are currently managed in primary healthcare. This study aimed to explore physicians' experiences of managing patients with fatigue in Swedish primary care to inform development of evidence-based care procedures. Method Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted, including a total of 39 primary care physicians from three primary care centres in Stockholm. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results The analysis generated the overarching theme "Frustration in the role as physician," consisting of two main themes: (1) “Time pressure and an empty toolbox”, highlighting the perceived lack of standardised assessment procedures, effective interventions, and sufficient time for care; and (2) “Challenges in the patient-physician relationship”, highlighting role ambivalence, ambivalence regarding sick leave, and the importance of reaching mutual understanding with the patient. Conclusion Physicians often feel frustrated, ill-equipped, and time-pressured when managing patients with fatigue. There is a pressing need to develop evidence-based assessment procedures and treatments in the primary care context. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e74b103c42484c7c9880b8db2fc2cbf7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-e74b103c42484c7c9880b8db2fc2cbf72025-08-20T02:07:41ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532025-06-012611910.1186/s12875-025-02891-1Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group studyConrad Samuelsson0Lisa Gunnarsson1Frank Svärdman2Christian Rück3Elin Lindsäter4Gustavsberg University Primary Healthcare Clinic, Academic Primary Care CenterCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care ServicesGustavsberg University Primary Healthcare Clinic, Academic Primary Care CenterCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care ServicesGustavsberg University Primary Healthcare Clinic, Academic Primary Care CenterAbstract Background Fatigue is a common symptom in primary healthcare, affecting 10–30% of patients, and is associated with increased healthcare consumption and functional disability. There is a lack of standardised guidelines to assess and treat patients with fatigue, and little is known about how patients are currently managed in primary healthcare. This study aimed to explore physicians' experiences of managing patients with fatigue in Swedish primary care to inform development of evidence-based care procedures. Method Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted, including a total of 39 primary care physicians from three primary care centres in Stockholm. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results The analysis generated the overarching theme "Frustration in the role as physician," consisting of two main themes: (1) “Time pressure and an empty toolbox”, highlighting the perceived lack of standardised assessment procedures, effective interventions, and sufficient time for care; and (2) “Challenges in the patient-physician relationship”, highlighting role ambivalence, ambivalence regarding sick leave, and the importance of reaching mutual understanding with the patient. Conclusion Physicians often feel frustrated, ill-equipped, and time-pressured when managing patients with fatigue. There is a pressing need to develop evidence-based assessment procedures and treatments in the primary care context.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02891-1Primary HealthcareFatigueFocus GroupsHealth Care Process Assessment |
| spellingShingle | Conrad Samuelsson Lisa Gunnarsson Frank Svärdman Christian Rück Elin Lindsäter Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study BMC Primary Care Primary Healthcare Fatigue Focus Groups Health Care Process Assessment |
| title | Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study |
| title_full | Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study |
| title_fullStr | Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study |
| title_short | Physicians’ experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study |
| title_sort | physicians experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care a focus group study |
| topic | Primary Healthcare Fatigue Focus Groups Health Care Process Assessment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02891-1 |
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