According to a 2007 physician survey, many healthcare providers lack confidence in diagnosing fibromyalgia and are reluctant to diagnose patients with the condition. This reluctance may lead to delayed diagnosis, as shown in another 2007 survey—which revealed that more than 42 percent of respondents diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a healthcare provider waited two or more years for the diagnosis. Twenty-two percent waited five years or more.

“Delayed diagnosis prolongs the mental, emotional and physical suffering for fibromyalgia patients,” says NFA president Lynne Matallana. “It is vital that healthcare providers understand fibromyalgia and how therapies can help improve the quality of life in patients affected by this life-altering disorder.”

In response to this healthcare barrier, the National Fibromyalgia Association is working on a number of efforts to help bring a better understanding of fibromyalgia to healthcare providers (HCPs). Among these efforts is continuing medical education (CME) for physicians and continuing education (CE) for allied health professionals. These programs help those in the medical field maintain their expertise and learn about new and developing areas of their field, and are required by many states in order for healthcare providers to maintain their licenses.

Here are just a few of the NFA’s current successes to improve patient care through healthcare provider education.

1. FAME Project: Due to the number of requests from rehabilitation counselors, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification was recently added as an accrediting organization for the FAME (Fibromyalgia Assessment, Management and Education) Project. This free web-based CME/CE course educates healthcare providers on the assessment (diagnosis) and management of fibromyalgia and overlapping conditions. Developed by the NFA in collaboration with California State University, Fullerton, this program has been accredited by seven highly regarded organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

2. The Fibromyalgia Professional Resource Center: This healthcare professional website, created by the NFA specifically for clinicians and researchers in fibromyalgia, continues to draw new healthcare providers. The website, which is updated regularly, was created as a tool for HCPs to help them find information on new fibromyalgia research, updates from the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, advocacy, CME/CE resources, NFA programs and projects, and other resources.

3. Fibromyalgia Circle of Care: Four regional workshops were held in March 2009 as part of the Fibromyalgia Circle of Care initiative. The workshops—which took place in Raleigh, North Carolina; Los Angeles, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Baltimore, Maryland—provided a hands-on approach and the opportunity to interact with nationally recognized faculty. These were the first of three annual initiatives designed to address the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare providers in the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia patients. Launched in October 2008, the Fibromyalgia Circle of Care is a collaboration between the National Fibromyalgia Association, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and The Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing.

4. Practicing Clinicians Exchange Partnership: In February 2009, the National Fibromyalgia Association in partnership with the Practicing Clinicians Exchange (PCE) began development of a continuing education program for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). There are currently more than 200,000 nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the U.S., and PCE is the national leader in providing continuing education focused solely on the needs of NPs and PAs.

5. Healthcare Provider Survey: To raise awareness of fibromyalgia among the clinical community and gain a better understanding of HCPs’ current knowledge about the disorder, the National Fibromyalgia Association, in collaboration with MedscapeCME Rheumatology, launched a comprehensive survey of clinicians who treat patients with fibromyalgia. Results from the survey will help facilitate the development of future programs that will best meet the educational and clinical performance needs identified. Over 1,500 clinicians responded to the survey, which was posted on the NFA’s healthcare professional website and the MedscapeCME site. MedscapeCME is a leader in the field of continuing medical education for physicians, nurses, NPs, PAs, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers and professionals.

6. American Pain Society: The National Fibromyalgia Association is one of 150 exhibitors at the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society. Approximately 1,500 professionals in the field of pain management and research are expected to attend the event May 7-9 at the San Diego Convention Center.

7. P.A.I.N. Kit: The NFA begins distribution of its Physician Assistance, Information & Needs (P.A.I.N) Kit this week at the American Pain Society meeting. The kit provides informational tools and resources to help HCPs effectively treat fibromyalgia. Patient education materials are also included for easy distribution.

8. OB/GYN Program: OB/GYNs often serve as primary care physicians for women with fibromyalgia. Development has begun on a CME/CE program designed specifically for healthcare professionals in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The NFA has partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, home to the largest academic CME unit in the country, and MedPro Communications, Inc., which provides medical education to healthcare providers around the world. The program will include a two-hour regional CME/CE meeting, and will also be webcasted.