Teaching medical students about medically unexplained illnesses: A preliminary study

Abstract

Background: This study examined how an interactive seminar focusing on two medically unexplained illnesses, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia, influenced medical student attitudes toward CFS, a more strongly stigmatized illness. Methods: Forty-five fourth year medical students attended a 90 minute interactive seminar on the management of medically unexplained illnesses that was exemplified with CFS and fibromyalgia. A modified version of the CFS attitudes test was administered immediately before and after the seminar. Results: Pre-seminar assessment revealed neutral to slightly favorable toward CFS. At the end of the seminar, significantly more favorable attitudes were found toward CFS in general (t (42) = 2.77; P < 0.01) and for specific items that focused on (1) supporting more CFS research funding (t (42) = 4.32; P < 0.001; (2) employers providing flexible hours for people with CFS (t (42) = 3.52, P < 0.01); and (3) viewing CFS as not primarily a psychological disorder (t (42) = 2.87, P < 0.01). Thus, a relatively brief exposure to factual information on specific medically unexplained illnesses was associated with more favorable attitudes toward CFS in fourth year medical students. Conclusion: This type of instruction may lead to potentially more receptive professional attitudes toward providing care to these underserved patients.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fred Friedberg

FRED FRIEDBERG, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University.

Stephanie J. Sohl

STEPHANIE SOHL, M.A. is a graduate student in the Social and Health area of the Psychology Department at Stony Brook University.

Peter J. Halperin

PETER HALPERIN, M.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University and is Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry.