ArticleBMC primary care2025
Physicians' experiences of assessing and supporting fatigued patients in primary care: a focus group study.
Article in BMC primary care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy for severe and persistent fatigue - a feasibility study in primary care.BMC primary care · 2026Trial
- Fatigue: assess and address it.Journal of patient-reported outcomes · 2026Article
- Article
- Experiences of returning to work after sick leave due to exhaustion disorder: a qualitative content analysis.BMC psychology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundFatigue 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.
methodSix 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.
resultsThe 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.
conclusionPhysicians 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.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.