Brief Multidisciplinary Treatment Program for Fibromyalgia
Brief Multidisciplinary Treatment Program for Fibromyalgia
The majority of fibromyalgia treatment programs are weeks or months in duration. This tertiary care center draws people worldwide for diagnostic purposes; however, most patients are unable to stay for extended treatment. It was deemed important to offer a brief multidisciplinary fibromyalgia treatment program that provided fundamental education and established a foundation for self-management strategies. This article describes the components of a brief multidisciplinary program for fibromyalgia. Initial results indicate improvement in patient outcomes and in patient and physician satisfaction. Patients who complete any fibromyalgia program need to maintain a relationship with their primary care providers for ongoing care. Some patients may need a more comprehensive program because of their level of functional impairment.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and a multitude of associated symptoms. Two percent of patients in primary care and up to 20% in rheumatic disease clinics have been diagnosed with this condition, which affects mainly women. Although it may occur at any age, fibromyalgia is most common from age 40 to 75 years (Arthritis Foundation, 2001). Fibromyalgia has no known cause or cure, and it seems that a multidisciplinary approach to treatment is necessary to meet the complex needs of this patient population. Many programs that have been described in the literature have produced significant improvement in patients, but these often range in length from 3 weeks to 6 months and involve expenses that may be impractical (Bennet, 1996; Bennett et al., 1996; Turk, Okifufi, Sinclari, & Starz, 1998).
Pertinent to our institution, a tertiary care center, many patients and health care providers found fibromyalgia care to be highly fragmented, costly, and unsatisfactory. Recognition of these problems along with the ideal of streamlined, cost-effective, and efficient care led to the development of the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program (FTP), which opened in January 1999.
The majority of fibromyalgia treatment programs are weeks or months in duration. This tertiary care center draws people worldwide for diagnostic purposes; however, most patients are unable to stay for extended treatment. It was deemed important to offer a brief multidisciplinary fibromyalgia treatment program that provided fundamental education and established a foundation for self-management strategies. This article describes the components of a brief multidisciplinary program for fibromyalgia. Initial results indicate improvement in patient outcomes and in patient and physician satisfaction. Patients who complete any fibromyalgia program need to maintain a relationship with their primary care providers for ongoing care. Some patients may need a more comprehensive program because of their level of functional impairment.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and a multitude of associated symptoms. Two percent of patients in primary care and up to 20% in rheumatic disease clinics have been diagnosed with this condition, which affects mainly women. Although it may occur at any age, fibromyalgia is most common from age 40 to 75 years (Arthritis Foundation, 2001). Fibromyalgia has no known cause or cure, and it seems that a multidisciplinary approach to treatment is necessary to meet the complex needs of this patient population. Many programs that have been described in the literature have produced significant improvement in patients, but these often range in length from 3 weeks to 6 months and involve expenses that may be impractical (Bennet, 1996; Bennett et al., 1996; Turk, Okifufi, Sinclari, & Starz, 1998).
Pertinent to our institution, a tertiary care center, many patients and health care providers found fibromyalgia care to be highly fragmented, costly, and unsatisfactory. Recognition of these problems along with the ideal of streamlined, cost-effective, and efficient care led to the development of the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program (FTP), which opened in January 1999.