My Symptoms: an eHealth and GP Assisted Programme for Persistent Symptoms in Primary Care

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

My Symptoms eHealth programme: My Symptoms supports patients' self-efficacy and behavioural changes. The programme is activated by the patient after prescription by the GP. The patient is free to choose relevant tasks corresponding to wishes, needs/requirements and own perspectives. Summary of content: 1. Symptom explanations and facts about frequent symptoms including brief animated explanations 2. Physical energy (sleep, diet and activity) 3. Working with resources and strain in everyday life 4. Values and choices (meaning and existential issues) 5. Thoughts 6. Feelings (emotion regulation) 7. Self-care (attention incl. mindfulness and audio exercises) 8. Preparation for a follow-up visit with the GP and relapse prevention. The above modules connect to four general tools: symptom registration, 'don't break the chain', goal setting staircase and notebook. After 6 weeks: Voluntary GP follow-up consultation. After 8 weeks: End-of-treatment.

Study summary

The project 'My Symptoms' is part of a large research programme: eHealth and GP-assisted self-help interventions for persistent physical symptoms (eASY). See www.mine-symptomer.dk.

The research programme is an ambitious and dedicated effort aiming at improvement of functioning and quality of life for individuals with persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and prevention of the development of chronic functional disorders and associated loss of working capacity and high use of health care. At present, access to specialized treatment of PPS is very limited and treatment capacity in general practice is restricted to brief consultations - often with poor opportunity to make a treatment plan for symptoms. As part of the research programme, the investigators have developed a web-based self-help programme for patient with PPS. This treatment programme is prescribed by the patient's general practitioner (GP). Only GPs who have participated in a short introduction course will be allowed for prescriptions.

The investigators have applied a high degree of user involvement (GPs and patients) in the development process but there is a need to evaluate how the new treatment programme is in fact adopted by GPs and patients.

With this study, the investigators wish to follow the national implementation using a before-after study design describing uptake and effects on GPs, patients and the health care system.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in symptom intensity — Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)
  Symptom intensity measured by a numeric rating scale (0-10)
• Change in symptom interference — Baseline to end of treatment (week 8)
  Symptom interference measured by a numeric rating scale (0-10)

Trial sites (1)

More Aarhus University Hospital trials in Denmark