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Objective: To explore the perceptions and experiences of health professionals who participated in a multicomponent program for fibromyalgia (FM) patients based on health education, physical exercise and cognitive–behavioral therapy. Methods: In this qualitative, descriptive study that was based on a pragmatic and utilitarian approach, we conducted two focus groups (FGs) with 12 professionals (nurses and general practitioners) from the primary healthcare system of Spain who had been trained as FM experts. A thematic content analysis was carried out. Results: The findings were organized into four key domains, each with explanatory emerging themes. Overall, the professionals positively valued the program for the knowledge gain it offered, its integrated approach, the group effect and other benefits to patients. Work overload and peers' lack of acknowledgement of the program's value were identified as barriers. A reduction in the amount of content in each session, the creation of quality-of-care indicators and the promotion of the new professional role (FM expert) were proposed. Conclusions: The FM experts supported the program and recognized its usefulness. To implement the program within the primary healthcare system, the program needs to be adjusted to accommodate professionals' and patients' reality, and institutional health policies must be improved by providing training on FM to the healthcare community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives : Multicomponent, non-pharmacological therapies are the preferred first-line treatments for fibromyalgia (FM), but little is known about them in primary care settings. Our study assessed the effectiveness of the FIBROCARE Program in improving the quality of life, functional impact, mood, and pain of people with FM. Methods : We conducted a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial that was not blinded for both patients and the professionals delivering the treatments in the study groups. We compared a group receiving non-pharmacological multicomponent group therapy (MT) based on health education, physical exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy with another group receiving the usual clinical care. The MT group was treated in the primary care context in Catalonia (Spain) through 12 consecutive weekly sessions. Both groups were followed up with at the end of the MT group sessions and 6 and 12 months after the group sessions with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) v2 Health Survey questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D), the Visual Analog Scale, and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04049006). Results : Improvements in pain intensity, functional impact, physical health, fatigue, and emotional problems that affect daily activities in the MT group lasted up to 12 months. Benefits measured by the SF-36 Mental Health dimension and the HADS-A subscale were lost after 6 months. Effects on the SF-36 Social Functioning dimension and HADS-D present at 6 months persisted for up to 12 months. Generally, the longer the time since the FM diagnosis, the better was a patient's mood. Conclusions : The FIBROCARE Program effectively improves all the studied health outcomes except patient mood, since anxiety symptoms persist. The program should reinforce patient psychological support overall, focusing particularly on the years initially after diagnosis.

Objective: To explore the perceptions and experiences of health professionals who participated in a multicomponent program for fibromyalgia (FM) patients based on health education, physical exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy., Methods: In this qualitative, descriptive study that was based on a pragmatic and utilitarian approach, we conducted two focus groups (FGs) with 12 professionals (nurses and general practitioners) from the primary healthcare system of Spain who had been trained as FM experts. A thematic content analysis was carried out., Results: The findings were organized into four key domains, each with explanatory emerging themes. Overall, the professionals positively valued the program for the knowledge gain it offered, its integrated approach, the group effect and other benefits to patients. Work overload and peers' lack of acknowledgement of the program's value were identified as barriers. A reduction in the amount of content in each session, the creation of quality-of-care indicators and the promotion of the new professional role (FM expert) were proposed., Conclusions: The FM experts supported the program and recognized its usefulness. To implement the program within the primary healthcare system, the program needs to be adjusted to accommodate professionals' and patients' reality, and institutional health policies must be improved by providing training on FM to the healthcare community.