and Elberling=2C J. General practitioners' experiences with provision of h=
ealthcare to patients with self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity. Sc=
andinavian Journal of Primary Health Care=2C 2009=2C 27=2C 3=2C 148-152. =20
=20
The aim was to describe general practitioners' (GPs') evaluation of and man=
agement strategies in relation to patients who seek medical advice because =
of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). This was a nationwide cross-section=
al postal questionnaire survey=2C including a sample of 1000 Danish GPs ran=
domly drawn from the membership list of GPs in the Danish Medical Associati=
on.=20
=20
Completed questionnaires were obtained from 691 GPs (69%). Within the last =
12 months 62.4% (n=3D431) of the GPs had been consulted by at least one pat=
ient with MCS. Of these=2C 55.2% of the GPs evaluated the patients' complai=
nts as chronic and 46.2% stated that they were rarely able to meet the pati=
ents' expectations for healthcare. The majority=2C 73.5%=2C had referred pa=
tients to other medical specialties. The cause of MCS was perceived as mult=
i-factorial by 64.3% of the GPs=2C as somatic/biologic by 27.6%=2C and as p=
sychological by 7.2%. Partial or complete avoidance of chemical exposures w=
as recommended by 86.3%. Clinical guidelines=2C diagnostic tools=2C or more=
insight in the pathophysiology were requested by 84.5% of the GPs.=20
=20
Despite the lack of formal diagnostic labelling the patient with MCS is wel=
l known by GPs. The majority of the GPs believed that MCS primarily has a m=
ulti-factorial explanation. However=2C perceptions of the course of the con=
dition and management strategies differed=2C and many GPs found it difficul=
t to meet the patients' expectations for healthcare. The majority of the GP=
s requested more knowledge and clinical guidelines for the management of th=
is group of patients.=20
=20
Skovbjerg=2C S.=2C Brorson S.=2C Rasmussen=2C A.=2C Duus Johansen=2C J and =
Elberling=2C J. Impact of self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity on e=
veryday life: A qualitative study. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health=2C=
2009. doi:10.1177/1403494809105430. Online May 1st.
=20
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a descriptive term covering symptoms=
attributed to exposure to common airborne chemicals. There are no internat=
ionally accepted criteria=2C but it has been suggested that MCS is a chroni=
c and disabling condition. However=2C details of the impact of MCS on every=
day life are limited. We describe the impact of MCS on everyday life=2C str=
ategies for managing the condition=2C and experiences with healthcare manag=
ement.=20
=20
A focus group study was conducted=2C including two interviews with a sample=
of six women and six men between 27 and 78 years of age=2C a duration of M=
CS of at least 1 year=2C and with different occupational conditions. =20
=20
MCS may severely influence different aspects of everyday life=2C including =
lifestyle=2C social relations=2C and occupational conditions. Avoiding comm=
on airborne chemicals was the most prevalent coping strategy=2C which impli=
ed creating a chemical-free living space and limiting social activities. Ex=
periences with healthcare management were overall reported as negative in t=
erms of not receiving acknowledgement of the reported symptoms.=20
=20
MCS may have serious implications for daily functioning. Further research o=
n individual consequences and the social and psychological factors that may=
be associated with MCS is needed in order to add to our understanding of t=
his condition and to the provision of more satisfactory healthcare.
=20
=20
----------------------------------------------------------------------=20
Ellen M. Goudsmit PhD FBPsS=20
Health Psychologist
=20
=20
=
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