TY - JOUR
T1 - The acceptability of primary care or community-based behavioural interventions for persistent physical symptoms
T2 - Qualitative systematic review
AU - Scope, Alison
AU - Leaviss, Joanna
AU - Booth, Andrew
AU - Sutton, Anthea
AU - Parry, Glenys
AU - Buszewicz, Marta
AU - Moss-Morris, Rona
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was commissioned by the NIHR HTA Programme as project number 14/26/09. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme NIHR, NHS, or the Department of Health.
Funding Information:
This work was commissioned by the NIHR HTA Programme as project number 14/26/09. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme NIHR, NHS, or the Department of Health. This report is part of a larger project which is published in the NIHR Journal.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. British Journal of Health Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society
PY - 2021/11
Y1 - 2021/11
N2 - Purpose: Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are often associated with profound physical disability and psychological distress. Interventions for PPS that promote behavioural change aim to reduce levels of symptoms and improve overall functioning in patients. The evidence for these interventions is mixed, with effective relationships between patients and health practitioners (HPs) reported as the key to the success of primary care interventions. The objectives of this systematic review were to synthesize the qualitative evidence and to evaluate the acceptability of behavioural interventions for PPS in primary care, from the perspective of both patients and HPs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in seven major electronic bibliographic databases, to February 2019. The aim was to identify a broad range of literature including, qualitative research, mixed methods research, and qualitative data embedded in trial reports or process evaluations. Fifty-eight full papers were screened against the inclusion criteria. Nine studies were included and quality-assessed. A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted using thematic synthesis. Results: Some patients and HPs reported positive gains from taking part in or delivering interventions, with appropriate support and explanation of their symptoms important for patients. Barriers appeared to be underpinned by the relationship between the patients and HPs, and by beliefs and attitudes held by both parties. Conclusions: Patients should be provided with adequate information to make an informed decision about whether an intervention is appropriate for them, and interventions should not end suddenly or without adequate follow-up. HPs should receive training and supervision to address their lack of confidence, and improve their knowledge of PPS.
AB - Purpose: Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are often associated with profound physical disability and psychological distress. Interventions for PPS that promote behavioural change aim to reduce levels of symptoms and improve overall functioning in patients. The evidence for these interventions is mixed, with effective relationships between patients and health practitioners (HPs) reported as the key to the success of primary care interventions. The objectives of this systematic review were to synthesize the qualitative evidence and to evaluate the acceptability of behavioural interventions for PPS in primary care, from the perspective of both patients and HPs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in seven major electronic bibliographic databases, to February 2019. The aim was to identify a broad range of literature including, qualitative research, mixed methods research, and qualitative data embedded in trial reports or process evaluations. Fifty-eight full papers were screened against the inclusion criteria. Nine studies were included and quality-assessed. A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted using thematic synthesis. Results: Some patients and HPs reported positive gains from taking part in or delivering interventions, with appropriate support and explanation of their symptoms important for patients. Barriers appeared to be underpinned by the relationship between the patients and HPs, and by beliefs and attitudes held by both parties. Conclusions: Patients should be provided with adequate information to make an informed decision about whether an intervention is appropriate for them, and interventions should not end suddenly or without adequate follow-up. HPs should receive training and supervision to address their lack of confidence, and improve their knowledge of PPS.
KW - acceptability
KW - behavioural interventions
KW - medically unexplained symptoms
KW - qualitative
KW - systematic review/persistant physical symptoms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103988243&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/bjhp.12521
DO - 10.1111/bjhp.12521
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85103988243
SN - 1359-107X
VL - 26
SP - 1069
EP - 1094
JO - British Journal of Health Psychology
JF - British Journal of Health Psychology
IS - 4
ER -