How Young People Make Sense of Medically Unexplained Symptoms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Qualitative Exploration of how Young People Experience and Make Sense of Medically Unexplained Symptoms
IRAS ID
148719
Contact name
Claudia Willis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Research summary
Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) can be defined as: “persistent severe and distressing symptoms that cannot be fully explained by medical knowledge or whose severity cannot be accounted for after medical investigation” (Husain, Browne & Chalder, 2007, p2).
Medically unexplained symptoms are relatively common, but little is understood about the experience of individuals with this diagnosis. Culturally we have experience of presenting a physical symptom to a medical professional, and being given a medical explanation and treatment. However, when the diagnosis is medically unexplained, it is unclear how individuals manage this uncertainty and develop an understanding of their symptoms. Although there have been some attempts to explore this in adults, the stories of young people are not represented in the research literature.
The aim of this investigation is to use interviews to explore how young people experience, understand and make sense of physical symptoms they experience when they have been told by doctors there is no full medical explanation for these. Understanding the experience and meaning young people assign to their symptoms may help align perspectives of clinicians and families. This could then aid discussions with families and medical professionals, in a context where different perspectives are often held. Developing a shared understanding and narrative could help build a therapeutic relationship and increase engagement in services by helping young people feel understood and listened to.
The interviews will be analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis to look for themes regarding how young people experience and make sense of their symptoms and the process through how they have come to this understanding.REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
14/WS/1049
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion