Podcast 01 – Discussing the Lived Experiences of Fibromyalgia Patients and How Mental Health and Medical Professionals can Provide Better Quality Care to this Population

Summary

I will present the application and importance of collaborative-informed principles when working with fibromyalgia patients and other mental health and medical professionals. The presentation will include data of common lived experiences of fibromyalgia patients and the typical care provided so they are better understood while being treated. Some of the lived experiences being discussed will include the negative perceptions of fibromyalgia patients in the medical and mental health community and how this affects these population. By having dialogical conversations, it permits the learning of a patient’s language, meanings, experiences, and knowledge through their narratives enabling the ability to facilitate a conversation where all involved can co-create a treatment plan(s) and goals. A key factor is how accepting and acknowledging the expertise of the patient concerning their narratives and experiences opens an avenue to mutual respect within all professional and treating relationships. To give the audience a better understanding of the use of collaborative approaches I will provide contextual information regarding popular care and treatment planning allowing space for shifts on how mental health and medical professionals can improve the quality of care provided to fibromyalgia patients. In addition, an explanation on how diversity, culture, and inclusion plays a vital role in the joining and respect between patients and their mental health and medical team. An example of a form of collaborating work will be provided such as medical family therapy and how it can be beneficial. Keywords: collaborative-based principles, fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia patients, mental health and medical professionals, treatment planning, medical family therapy, lived experiences, language, meaning, narratives, diversity, culture, inclusion