Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications
Publication Date
1-1-2023
Journal
PLoS One
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0295168
PMID
38033143
PMCID
PMC10688846
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
11-30-2023
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Humans, Goals, Gulf War, Persian Gulf Syndrome, Quality of Life, Veterans
Abstract
Medically unexplained syndromes (MUS), also termed persistent physical symptoms, are both prevalent and disabling. Yet treatments for MUS are marked by high rates of patient dissatisfaction, as well as disagreement between patients and providers on the management of persistent physical symptoms. A better understanding of patient-generated goals could increase collaborative goal setting and promote person-centered care, a critical component of MUS treatment; yet research in this area is lacking. This paper aimed to develop a typology of treatment and life goals among Gulf War veterans with a medically unexplained syndrome (Gulf War Illness). We examined participants’ responses to open-ended questions about treatment and life goals using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis methodology. Results showed that treatment goals could be categorized into four overarching themes: 1) Get better/healthier, 2) Improve quality of life, 3) Improve or seek additional treatment, and 4) Don’t know/Don’t have any. Life goals were categorized into six overarching themes: 1) Live a fulfilling life, 2) Live a happy life, 3) Live a healthy life, 4) Be productive/financially successful, 5) Manage GWI, and 6) Don’t know/Don’t have any. Treatment goals were largely focused on getting better/healthier (e.g., improving symptoms), whereas life goals focused on living a fulfilling life. Implications for the treatment of Gulf War Illness and patient-provider communication are discussed.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02161133.