The
Fennell Four-Phase Treatment (FFPT)™
Research supports the concept that four phases
of adaptation occur in specific chronic illnesses, i.e., that
patients navigate a predictable passage on their way to defining
a new self and a new life. The Fennell Four-Phase Treatment
(FFPT)™ provides a framework for understanding this critical
process, as did Kubler-Ross's work regarding stages of death
and dying.
- In
Phase 1, Crisis, the individual moves from onset
of illness, which may be specifically detectable or may
happen gradually, to an emergency period when the patient
knows that something is seriously wrong. The task of the
individual, caregivers, and clinicians during this phase
is to cope with urgency and trauma.
- In
Phase 2, Stabilization, the individual discovers
that he or she fails, sometimes repeatedly, to return to
normal regardless of interventions or behavior. The task
in this phase is to initiate stabilization and life restructuring.
- In
Phase 3, Resolution, the individual recognizes deeply
that his or her old life will never return. Early in this
phase, most experience profound existential despair. The
task of this phase is to begin establishing an authentic
new self and start developing a supportive, meaningful philosophy.
- In
Phase 4, Integration, the individual defines a new
self in which illness may be an important factor, but it
is not he only or even the primary one in his or her life.
Integration of the illness into a meaningful life is the
goal the individual seeks.
Within
each phase, the model addresses three domains: the physical/behavioral,
the psychological, and the social/interactive. The experience
of chronic illness does not remain the same over time. The
physical, emotional, and social needs of a patient in the
early stages of the chronic illness experience can be considerably
different from the needs of the patient who has been ill for
several years.
The Fennell
Four-Phase Treatment (FFPT)™ can help clinicians treat
patients more effectively and can greatly reduce practitioner
frustration. We have developed and validated an instrument,
the Fennell Phase Inventory (FPI)™, that can be used
by practitioners for assessment purposes.
Questions &
Answers About the Fennell Four-Phase Treatment (FFPT)™
Relevant Publications:
- Fennell,
P.A. Managing Chronic
Illness: The Four Phase Approach. John Wiley and
Sons Inc., New York, NY (2003)
- Fennell,
P.A. The Chronic Illness
Workbook. Albany Health Publishing (2001)
- Fennell,
P.A., Jason, LA, Klein, S.M., (1998). Capturing the different
phases of the CFS illness. The CFIDS Chronicle, 11)3:
13-16
- Jason,
L.A., Fricano,. G., Taylor, R.R., Halpert, J., and Fennell,
P.A., Klein, S., Levine, S. (2000). Chronic fatigue syndrome:
an examination of the phases. Journal of Clinical Psychology,
56(12):1497-1508
- Jason,
LA and Fennell, P.A., Klein, S., Fricano, G., Halpert, J.,
Taylor, RR, (1999). An investigation of the different phases
of the CFS illness. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
5(3/4); 25-53
- Van
Hoof, E., Coomans, D., Cluydts, R. Association Between Fennell
Phase Inventory Scores and Immune and RNase - L Parameters
in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Journal of Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. 2005;12(2): in press.
- Van
Hoof, E., Coomans, D., Cluydts, R., De Meirleir, K. The
Fennell Phase Inventory in a Belgian Sample. Journal
of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 2004;12(1):53-69.
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