What is the problem with medically unexplained symptoms for GPs? A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Abstract

Objective: To gain a deeper understanding of challenges faced by GPs when managing patients with MUS.

Methods: We used meta-ethnography to synthesize qualitative studies on GPs' perception and management of MUS.

Results: The problem with MUS for GPs is the epistemological incongruence between dominant disease models and the reality of meeting patients suffering from persistent illness. GPs have used flexible approaches to manage the situation, yet patients and doctors have had parallel negative experiences of being stuck, untrustworthy and helpless. In the face of cognitive incongruence, GPs have strived to achieve relational congruence with their patients. This has led to parallel positive experiences of mutual trust and validation. With more experience, some GPs seem to overcome the incongruences, and later studies point towards a reframing of the MUS problem.

Conclusion: For GPs, the challenge with MUS is most importantly at an epistemological level. Hence, a full reframing of the problem of MUS for GPs (and for patients) implies broad changes in basic medical knowledge and education.

Practice implications: Short-term: Improve management of patients with MUS by transferring experience-based, reality-adjusted knowledge from senior GPs to juniors. Long-term: Work towards new models of disease that integrate knowledge from all relevant disciplines.

Keywords: General practice; Medically unexplained symptoms; Qualitative; Synthesis.