Thesis (M.A.)--Regis University, Denver, Colo., 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jan. 29, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 138 p.; also includes graphics Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-123). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study was conducted to determine patients' perceptions, interpretations and experiences cf Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Ten patients with FMS attending Heideveld Community Health Centre (CHC) in Cape Town, were selected for their ability to communicate and were interviewed by means of a tape-recorded semi-structured interview conducted at places preferred by the patients. The interviews were transcribed and analysed by detecting common themes. Six themes emerged namely: attitudes of patients towards their illness; perceptions and opinions of patients regarding their illness; patients' descriptions of their symptoms; help-seeking behAviour; consequences of having FMS - mainly loss and fears, hopes and expectations. Another finding was that 5 patients came from dysfunctional families where the dysfunction was found to affect the patient's FMS illness. The interviews brought better understanding of patients' everyday lives and their needs. It became obvious that application of Family Medicine principles to the needs of the patients could improve the quality of care given to them. Also, attention to family functions can help detect patients whose well-being can be improved.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a complex, chronic condition involving persistent and widespread pain of unknown origin. FMS is sometimes mistaken as psychiatric in origin; however, the precise origin and cause of FMS is unknown (Klippel et al., 1998). Worldwide prevalence rates range from 0.18-12%, with 0.18% in the United Kingdom (UK) (Hughes et al., 2006), 2% in the United States (US) (Wolfe et al., 1997), and 12% in Spain (Carmona et al., 2001). In the UK, there is debate over the existence of FMS (Bohr, 1995), and the reluctance of a general practitioner (GP) to diagnose conditions that are poorly defined (Hughes et al., 2006). Primary symptoms of FMS include generalized muscular pain, multiple tender points, sleep disruption and excessive fatigue. Additional symptoms include headaches, memory and concentration problems, dizziness, numbness/tingling, itching, fluid retention, abdominal cramps or pelvic pain and diarrhea (Hudson et al., 1992). Clearly, these symptoms may have an immense impact on daily life, limiting an individual’s functioning and emotional well-being. FMS is associated with significant societal and health care costs. Patients with FMS may repeatedly present to the general practitioner with various symptoms before a definitive diagnosis of FMS is made. As a result, general practitioners may be more likely to diagnose FMS in patients who frequently present with symptoms related to FMS, while patients who meet the diagnostic criteria but who rarely present at the practice may be missed (Ehrlich, 2003). The condition is of unknown etiology, and this, together with the lack of verifiable diagnostic criteria (i.e. lab tests), has led some to speculate that the disease does not or is at best a surrogate marker for underlying psychosocial problems. As such, the very process of diagnosing a patient with FMS may exacerbate symptoms and lead to increased dependence on health care providers (Ehrlich, 2003). This study examined the diagnoses of FMS made in “real-life” clinical practice and recorded by general practitioners in a large primary care population in the UK.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-199).

M.Tech.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-89).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 54 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 49-54).

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Nursing, 1997. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 116-125.