<h3>Background:</h3> Following a detailed study about the needs of fibromyalgia (FM) patients throughout their disease process [1] in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, we decided to establish an implementation plan to improve patients' experience. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To prioritize problems to tackle and define action plans to improve the experience of people with FM. <h3>Methods:</h3> A mixed methods study was conducted, including quantitative and qualitative methodology. The quantitative part consisted of a survey of people with FM and dedicated professionals in the three Latin American countries. The qualitative component consisted of three nominal group meetings (one per country) to develop priorities-based action plans. <h3>Results:</h3> The survey was completed by 52 respondents, 37 (36%) of whom were women. Responses pointed to the lack of visibility, the lack of importance of pain as a symptom, and the lack of standardized disease management as the most significant difficulties with FM in their settings. The main reasons behind these problems were the limited knowledge and training of health professionals in FM, leading to contradictory messages and damaged trust, the lack of standardization in the management of FM, and the limited access to non-pharmacological treatments, which are crucial in FM. In the nominal group, action plans were decided collectively between professionals and patients. Table 1 summarises the priorities identified in the survey by country and the action plans designed to improve them. Many were related to various forms of health education and research. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Professional and citizen education is considered the most efficient strategy and a primary target to avoid lack of visibility and damaged trust and foster standardization and access to non-pharmacological interventions in FM. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Otón T MO, Fernández-Ávila DG, Robles San Román M, Mata D, Arguissain C, Galindo Guzmán JM, Pérez M, Carmona L, Grupo Fibrojourney Latam The patient journey of fibromyalgia in Latin America Reumatología Clínica. 2023. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>
Tópico:
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research