General practitioners' beliefs, attitudes and reported actions towards chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To undertake a survey of Australian general practitioners (GPs) to explore their beliefs, attitudes and reported actions with respect to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). METHOD: A random sample of 2090 Australian GPs, stratified by state, was surveyed in May-August 1995. RESULTS: A 77% response rate was obtained. For the majority of practitioners who pursue a diagnosis of CFS, six symptoms were considered to be of significance: chronic unremitting fatigue for over 6 months; failure to recover energy after rest; reduced exercise tolerance; prostration for several days after exercise; generalised myalgia and poor concentration. Individual counselling was the most frequently used treatment. Thirty-one percent of practitioners reported that they did not believe that CFS is a distinct syndrome. Of these, 70% reported that the most likely cause of chronic fatigue was depression. CONCLUSION: There is considerable diversity of opinion between practitioners about CFS. The diversity extends from questioning whether the syndrome even exists to different strategies for diagnosis and management.