Zeitschrift für ärztliche Fortbildung und Qualitätssicherung
-
Z Arztl Fortbild Qualitatssich · Mar 2004
[The process of shared decision making in chronic pain patients. Evaluation and modification of treatment decisions].
Conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system are the cause of approximately 25% of absenteeism from work. Fibromyalgia syndrome is an exemplary condition of chronic widespread pain which most physicians consider difficult to manage. The physician-patient relationship is burdened with resignation and frustration on both sides. ⋯ In 87.2% of the consultations the therapy decisions were modified within three months after the first encounter. Patients considered to be "difficult" were less likely to modify their decisions. The shared decision making process usually takes more than one consultation.