PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Judith Belam
AU  - Gill Harris
AU  - David Kernick
AU  - Frances Kline
AU  - Krissy Lindley
AU  - Jayne McWatt
AU  - Annie Mitchell
AU  - Debbie Reinhold
TI  - A qualitative study of migraine involving patient researchers
DP  - 2005 Feb 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 87--93
VI  - 55
IP  - 511
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/55/511/87.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/55/511/87.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2005 Feb 01; 55
AB  - Background Migraine is poorly managed in primary care despite a high level of morbidity. The majority of sufferers use non-prescription medications and are reluctant to seek help but the reasons for this are not understood.Aim The aim of this study was to develop a research partnership between migraine sufferers and healthcare professionals to synthesise tacit and explicit knowledge in the area. Building upon this partnership, a further aim was to explore what it is to suffer with migraine from patients' perspectives in order to inform health service delivery.Design Qualitative interview study involving healthcare professionals and patient researchers.Setting A purposeful sample of eight migraine sufferers who had attended a local intermediate care headache clinic.Method A consensual qualitative approach.Results Migraine had a high and unrecognised impact on quality of life. ‘Handling the beast’ was a central metaphor that resonated with the experience of all sufferers who sought to control their problem in different ways. Three major themes were identified: making sense of their problem; actively doing something about it either through self-help or professional advice; being resigned to it.Conclusion Despite a significant impact on the quality of life of migraine sufferers and their families, their needs remain largely unmet. Useful insights can be obtained when patients and professionals work together in true partnership but the time and effort involved should not be underestimated. Further research is needed to identify why there are major deficiencies in delivering care in this common problem.