Samuelsson Conrad, Gunnarsson Lisa, Svärdman Frank, Rück Christian, Lindsäter Elin
Gustavsberg University Primary Healthcare Clinic, Academic Primary Care Center, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
BMC Prim Care. 2025 Jun 9;26(1):197. doi: 10.1186/s12875-025-02891-1.
Fatigue is a common symptom in primary healthcare, affecting 10-30% of patients, and is associated with increased healthcare consumption and functional disability. There is a lack of standardised guidelines to assess and treat patients with fatigue, and little is known about how patients are currently managed in primary healthcare. This study aimed to explore physicians' experiences of managing patients with fatigue in Swedish primary care to inform development of evidence-based care procedures.
Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted, including a total of 39 primary care physicians from three primary care centres in Stockholm. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
The analysis generated the overarching theme "Frustration in the role as physician," consisting of two main themes: (1) "Time pressure and an empty toolbox", highlighting the perceived lack of standardised assessment procedures, effective interventions, and sufficient time for care; and (2) "Challenges in the patient-physician relationship", highlighting role ambivalence, ambivalence regarding sick leave, and the importance of reaching mutual understanding with the patient.
Physicians often feel frustrated, ill-equipped, and time-pressured when managing patients with fatigue. There is a pressing need to develop evidence-based assessment procedures and treatments in the primary care context.
疲劳是初级医疗保健中的常见症状，影响10%至30%的患者，并与医疗保健消费增加和功能残疾相关。目前缺乏评估和治疗疲劳患者的标准化指南，对于初级医疗保健中患者当前的管理方式知之甚少。本研究旨在探讨瑞典初级保健医生管理疲劳患者的经验，为循证护理程序的制定提供参考。
进行了六次半结构化焦点小组访谈，共包括来自斯德哥尔摩三个初级保健中心的39名初级保健医生。采用主题分析法对数据进行分析。
分析得出总体主题“医生角色中的挫败感”，包括两个主要主题：（1）“时间压力和方法匮乏”，突出了标准化评估程序、有效干预措施以及充足护理时间的不足；（2）“医患关系中的挑战”，突出了角色矛盾、病假方面的矛盾以及与患者达成相互理解的重要性。
医生在管理疲劳患者时常常感到挫败、准备不足且时间紧迫。在初级保健环境中迫切需要制定循证评估程序和治疗方法。
