TY - BOOK

T1 - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia

T2 - a Social Model of Disability Perspective

AU - Barcroft, Rachel

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - This thesis is composed firstly of a literature review focusing on the attitudes of healthprofessionals towards chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) andfibromyalgia. Secondly, a research paper explores the ways in which people living withCFS/ME have experienced psycho-emotional disablism. Finally, a critical appraisal discussesthe process of conducting the research as well as its strengths and limitations.The literature review takes the form of a meta-synthesis regarding the attitudes ofhealthcare professionals towards CFS/ME and fibromyalgia. A meta-ethnographic approachwas used with reciprocal translation producing the following themes: “Feeling hopeless andmore hopeless”: psychological effects of lack of knowledge; “Your heart sinks when theycome in the room”: stigma and stereotypes; and “I’m going to be with you through thick andthin”: management of the condition. The review highlights the difficulties faced by healthprofessionals regarding the management and diagnosis of both conditions, as well as possiblereasons for the negative attitudes held by some professionals.The research paper, which employed thematic analysis, explores the ways in whichpeople living with CFS/ME have experienced psycho-emotional disablism. Threeoverarching themes were identified: “fighting to be heard”; “lack of legitimacy” and “feelinginvisible”. Participants described the discrimination and stigma that they had encounteredfrom many areas of society. Ideas for future research are proposed.The critical appraisal presents the author’s reflections on the research process as wellas its strengths and limitations, and the five stages of the process are described as follows:choosing a thesis topic and designing the project; recruitment and research interviews; theinterview process; analysis and writing up of the data; and the author’s reflections on theproject.

AB - This thesis is composed firstly of a literature review focusing on the attitudes of healthprofessionals towards chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) andfibromyalgia. Secondly, a research paper explores the ways in which people living withCFS/ME have experienced psycho-emotional disablism. Finally, a critical appraisal discussesthe process of conducting the research as well as its strengths and limitations.The literature review takes the form of a meta-synthesis regarding the attitudes ofhealthcare professionals towards CFS/ME and fibromyalgia. A meta-ethnographic approachwas used with reciprocal translation producing the following themes: “Feeling hopeless andmore hopeless”: psychological effects of lack of knowledge; “Your heart sinks when theycome in the room”: stigma and stereotypes; and “I’m going to be with you through thick andthin”: management of the condition. The review highlights the difficulties faced by healthprofessionals regarding the management and diagnosis of both conditions, as well as possiblereasons for the negative attitudes held by some professionals.The research paper, which employed thematic analysis, explores the ways in whichpeople living with CFS/ME have experienced psycho-emotional disablism. Threeoverarching themes were identified: “fighting to be heard”; “lack of legitimacy” and “feelinginvisible”. Participants described the discrimination and stigma that they had encounteredfrom many areas of society. Ideas for future research are proposed.The critical appraisal presents the author’s reflections on the research process as wellas its strengths and limitations, and the five stages of the process are described as follows:choosing a thesis topic and designing the project; recruitment and research interviews; theinterview process; analysis and writing up of the data; and the author’s reflections on theproject.

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/50

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/50

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

CY - Lancaster

ER -