This study focuses on the understanding of rheumatology residents in caring for fibromyalgia patients. The syndrome is difficult to diagnose, and pain is the most important symptom. OBJECTIVES: Understand how residents understand the care, and discover what this care leads to. METHODS: Qualitative study based on hermeneutic phenomenology, with taped individual interviews answering the key question: "What does it mean to you to treat fibromyalgia patients?" The study analyzed the meanings provided by the residents. The research was performed in three public university hospitals, with second-year medical residents. RESULTS: Care for fibromyalgia patients proved to be a source of frustration, bringing a feeling of powerlessness and indignation; patients suffer from prejudice due to idiosyncrasies, social components, and non-adherence to treatment; the physician needs to be emotionally prepared to provide care - requirements include knowing how to listen and understand the patient-illness relationship; the diagnosis is marked by lack of laboratory confirmation and subjectivity in the work-up; the physician needs support from psychology, and the treatment requires a multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSION: Care is frustrating and generates a feeling of powerlessness. It requires greater psychological preparation during medical training and a more integrated approach between medicine, psychology, and physical therapy.
Fibromyalgia; Qualitative Research; Schools, Medical
