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document
Chronic fatigue syndrome versus neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome : differential attributions . Since 1988 , when the term chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) was coined , considerable discussion has occurred about stigma associated with this diagnostic term . In particular , patients with CFS have felt that this term trivializes the serious nature of this disorder . A Name Change Work group , appointed by the CFS Coordinating Committee , developed an umbrella term : chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome ( CNDS ) , and proposed that there would be sub-types under this term , one being CFS . The present study examined attributions of this new umbrella term when compared with CFS . Nurses and physician assistants ( PAs ) were presented a case study of a patient with symptoms of CFS . They were told that the patient had either " chronic fatigue syndrome , " " chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome , " or " chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome , which had formerly been called chronic fatigue syndrome . " The different terms led to different attributions , with PA respondents rating the " CNDS " label as more severe . Results suggest that a more medical sounding term ( CNDS ) may lead to attributions that this syndrome is a more serious , disabling illness . The policy implications of these findings are discussed .
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Intervention_Educational
syndrome : differential attributions
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Intervention_Psychological
case study of a patient with symptoms of CFS
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Intervention_Educational
medical sounding term ( CNDS )
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Outcome_Other
attributions
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Outcome_Other
medical sounding term
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Outcome_Other
attributions
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Participant_Condition
patients with CFS