Can a care pathway help streamline the care process for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome?

Abstract

In this paper, the authors show how the implementation of a care pathway can streamline the care for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The methodology of seven phases is used as a guide to develop, implement and evaluate the CFS care pathway. Some patients have already completed the care pathway. With the help of these case studies, a few strengths and weaknesses of the care process can be formulated. The development and implementation of the care pathway result in a structured process. Patients are diagnosed and treated based on an evidence-based method. The care path also leads to an enhancement of the interdisciplinary cooperation. Nevertheless, the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of patients are taken into account insufficiently. Moreover, family doctors should be involved more often. In the future, it is also important to pay more attention to the role of the family members during the treatment. The entire steering group now needs to engage in a discussion about the test pathway and then subsequently put it to use in daily practice. Additional challenges for the steering group include the objective evaluation and the continuous follow-up of the care pathway.