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Published on: June 2, 2014
Receiving Medical Care for Chronic Migraines: A Phenomenological Study
Douglas McPhee1, Cameron C Brown1, W David Robinson1
1From Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, the Department of Community, Family and Addiction Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.
Primary care providers can improve chronic migraine (CM) treatment by encouraging patients to accept and manage their condition. A shift towards a holistic, biopsychosocial approach can enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Effective treatment of chronic migraine (CM) presents a significant challenge for primary care providers (PCPs).
- Patients with CM often express dissatisfaction and limited therapeutic gains, even with optimal medical interventions.
- Understanding patient and partner perspectives is crucial for improving CM management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how primary care providers can enhance the treatment of chronic migraine.
- To gather insights from patients with CM and their partners on improving medical care.
- To identify patient-centered approaches for managing chronic migraine.
Main Methods:
- Employed the immersion/crystallization phenomenological method.
- Collected data through open-ended survey responses and semi-structured interviews.
- Involved 11 patients with CM and 8 of their partners (N=19) in the study.
Main Results:
- Patients pursued diverse pharmacological and alternative treatments seeking a cure.
- A strong desire for collaborative treatment approaches was evident among participants.
- Patients exhibited a pattern of discontinuing and then resuming medical care.
Conclusions:
- PCPs should be trained to guide patients toward accepting and managing migraines, rather than pursuing a cure.
- Educating patients on a holistic, biopsychosocial approach can empower them to manage CM effectively.
- Shifting focus from cure to management may improve patient outcomes and satisfaction in chronic migraine care.
