Patients' experiences of multidisciplinary inpatient treatment for PPS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of people’s experiences of multidisciplinary inpatient treatment for persistent physical symptoms
IRAS ID
301156
Contact name
Hilary Lewis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Persistent physical symptoms are a range of physical symptoms, such as pain, weakness and fatigue, that are not fully explained by a known physical disease or disorder. The term includes conditions such as functional neurological disorder and fibromyalgia, as well as other related conditions where the body is not functioning as it should. These symptoms are real, and can be very disabling.
Research about treatment for persistent physical symptoms usually focusses upon treatment provided in outpatient settings. However, there are a small number of units in England that offer inpatient treatment for people with severe persistent physical symptoms, who experience high levels of disability and distress. These specialist centres offer treatment by a range of different health professionals, working together to help the patient.
This type of multidisciplinary treatment is recommended for people with severe persistent physical symptoms, but it has not been well-described and it is not yet known how it is experienced by the patients themselves. This study aims to understand what patients thought about the different parts of the treatment they received, what they found helpful about the treatment, and what was less helpful. This could help improve treatment in these services.People who have received treatment at two of these specialist units will be asked if they wish to take part in an interview about their experiences. Patients who have been discharged within the last two years will be invited. The study aims to recruit 15-20 participants. Those who consent will take part in an interview over a video call, that will last an hour. The interviews will be transcribed and analysed. The participants will be asked to comment on the emerging themes.
The results will be shared with participants and the specialist units, and used to inform future treatment in these units.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0254
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion