<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0008_s_006">
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Primary care physicians use various tools and methods to identify medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). The main purpose of our study is to determine the views of Slovenian family medicine trainees (FMT) about using the “Careful Assessment” tool for managing patients with MUS.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0008_s_007">
<h3>Methods</h3>
<p>A qualitative study using open survey questions focused on the experience of family medicine trainees in managing patients with MUS. The sample consisted of surveys from 184 family medicine trainees. These trainees analysed a total of 702 patients with MUS. Manual coding was used for quantitative content analysis.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0008_s_008">
<h3>Results</h3>
<p>In the coding process, 49 codes were developed that included broader research fields about using the “Careful Assessment” tool for managing patients with MUS. The codes were grouped into four theoretically grounded, logical categories in accordance with the elaborated theoretical concept: multi-purpose utility; improved patient management; in-depth knowledge and new skills; and patient response.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_sjph-2022-0008_s_009">
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The study demonstrated that, in the view of Slovenian FMT, the “Careful Assessment” tool has multi-purpose utility. The study showed that FMT felt that this tool helps them in systematic patient management. Their opinion is that it helps them establish a trusting relationship with patients, which is a precondition for providing further treatment.</p></sec></abstract>

Introduction
Primary care physicians use various tools and methods to identify medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). The main purpose of our study is to determine the views of Slovenian family medicine trainees (FMT) about using the “Careful Assessment” tool for managing patients with MUS.

Methods
A qualitative study using open survey questions focused on the experience of family medicine trainees in managing patients with MUS. The sample consisted of surveys from 184 family medicine trainees. These trainees analysed a total of 702 patients with MUS. Manual coding was used for quantitative content analysis.

Results
In the coding process, 49 codes were developed that included broader research fields about using the “Careful Assessment” tool for managing patients with MUS. The codes were grouped into four theoretically grounded, logical categories in accordance with the elaborated theoretical concept: multi-purpose utility; improved patient management; in-depth knowledge and new skills; and patient response.

Conclusion
The study demonstrated that, in the view of Slovenian FMT, the “Careful Assessment” tool has multi-purpose utility. The study showed that FMT felt that this tool helps them in systematic patient management. Their opinion is that it helps them establish a trusting relationship with patients, which is a precondition for providing further treatment.

The careful assessment tool for managing patients with medically unexplained symptoms – The experience of Slovenian family medicine trainees: A qualitative study

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Orodje skrbna ocena pri obravnavi bolnikov z medicinsko nepojasnjenimi stanji – Izkušnje Slovenskih specializantov družinske medicine: Kvalitatitvna študija

Introduction
Primary care physicians use various tools and methods to identify medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). The main purpose of our study is to...

The careful assessment tool for managing patients with medically unexplained symptoms – The experience of Slovenian family medicine trainees: A qualitative study

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Jan 03, 2022

Page range: 48 - 54

Received: Aug 30, 2021

Accepted: Nov 19, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2022-0008

Keywords
medically unexplained symptoms, Careful Assessment tool, family medicine, qualitative studies, family medicine trainees

© 2022 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The careful assessment tool for managing patients with medically unexplained symptoms – The experience of Slovenian family medicine trainees: A qualitative study

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Jan 03, 2022

Page range: 48 - 54

Received: Aug 30, 2021

Accepted: Nov 19, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2022-0008

Keywordsmedically unexplained symptoms, Careful Assessment tool, family medicine, qualitative studies, family medicine trainees

© 2022 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
medically unexplained symptoms, Careful Assessment tool, family medicine, qualitative studies, family medicine trainees