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BMC Primary Care

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Fatigue | Research article

Predicting GP visits: A multinomial logistic regression investigating GP visits amongst a cohort of UK patients living with Myalgic encephalomyelitis

Authors: R. Stephen Walsh, Andrew Denovan, Kenneth Drinkwater, Sean Reddington, Neil Dagnall

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a chronic condition whose status within medicine is the subject of on-going debate. Some medical professionals regard it as a contentious illness. Others report a lack of confidence with diagnosis and management of the condition. The genesis of this paper was a complaint, made by an ME patient, about their treatment by a general practitioner. In response to the complaint, Healthwatch Trafford ran a patient experience-gathering project.

Method

Data was collected from 476 participants (411 women and 65 men), living with ME from across the UK. Multinomial logistic regression investigated the predictive utility of length of time with ME; geographic location (i.e. Manchester vs. rest of UK); trust in GP; whether the patient had received a formal diagnosis; time taken to diagnosis; and gender. The outcome variable was number of GP visits per year.

Results

All variables, with the exception of whether the patient had received a formal diagnosis, were significant predictors.

Conclusions

Relationships between ME patients and their GPs are discussed and argued to be key to the effective delivery of care to this patient cohort. Identifying potential barriers to doctor patient interactions in the context of ME is crucial.

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Title: Predicting GP visits: A multinomial logistic regression investigating GP visits amongst a cohort of UK patients living with Myalgic encephalomyelitis
Authors: R. Stephen Walsh
Andrew Denovan
Kenneth Drinkwater
Sean Reddington
Neil Dagnall
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Fatigue
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01160-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Predicting GP visits: A multinomial logistic regression investigating GP visits amongst a cohort of UK patients living with Myalgic encephalomyelitis

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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