Objective: To evaluate patient and clinician views regarding
Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) in gynaecology and identify subgroups
suited to this pathway of care. Design: Cross-sectional survey Setting:
Gynaecology Outpatients Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals,
Sheffield, UK. Population or Sample: Patients and clinicians. Methods:
Participants were recruited from gynaecology outpatients, with purposive
sampling of diverse groups and clinics. PIFU value and burden were
evaluated using patient and clinician surveys (modified QQ-10).
Free-text comments were collated. Main Outcome Measures: QQ-10 value and
burden scores. Results: 305 patients and 30 clinicians were surveyed. On
value and burden scales of 0–100, patients and clinicians attributed
high value (mean 77 and 81) and low burden (mean 38 and 45). Greater
autonomy was cited in free-text by 85% of patients and 93% of
clinicians. Patients attending benign gynaecological sub-specialties
attributed highest mean value scores: Endometriosis (84), general
gynaecology (83) and vulval clinics (81). Gynaecology oncology patients
attributed lowest value (64) and highest burden (51) of all subgroups.
Younger patients (<60) were more likely to express preference
for PIFU (53%) than older (29%). Conclusions: Patients and clinicians
are in favour of selected use of PIFU in Gynaecology. Both surveys found
younger patients with benign gynaecological conditions well-suited to
PIFU. We recommend offering PIFU to select patients confident in
self-monitoring, whilst respecting patient choice so patients are not
disadvantaged by this system. Further evaluation of PIFU in women’s
health is warranted, including more detailed socio-economic and outcomes
assessment. Funding: None Keywords: Patient-Initiated Follow-Up, Women’s
Health, Gynaecology, Survey, Self-Monitoring
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