ObjectiveTo gain a deeper understanding of women’s experiences of accessing care for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in order to inform future strategies to improve care pathways, including the early detection of endometrial cancer.DesignWe conducted semistructured interviews with 15 women who attended their first gynaecological specialist consultation for AUB at Wellington Regional Hospital between October and December 2019. Inductive thematic analysis was used to explore experiences and barriers to seeking care.ResultsThe median age of the participant cohort was 45 years, with women self-identifying as New Zealand European (9/15), Māori (2/15) and Pasifika (4/15). All women had sought investigation for their AUB in primary care, for some women this was over a timeframe of many years. For all women, AUB had a significant and traumatic impact on their quality of life including their relationships and their work or education. Women described how they felt they often received inadequate care for AUB, and reported negative experiences with their general practitioner. Timely access was further compounded by feelings of embarrassment and that AUB was a taboo subject, and being able to discuss it with family, friends and their general practitioners was difficult.ConclusionWomen in our cohort experienced a multitude of compounding influences that acted as barriers to them having access to appropriate and timely care. Information campaigns that create awareness around ‘abnormal periods’ alongside better health provider practice guidelines for AUB investigation need to be a priority.

ObjectivesFamily health history underpins genetic medicine. Our study aimed to explore language and patterns of communication relating to family health history observed in interactions between general practitioners (GPs) and their patients within routine primary care consultations.DesignSecondary analysis of patient and GP routine consultation data (n=252).ParticipantsConsultations that included ‘family health history’ were eligible for inclusion (n=58).Primary outcomesA qualitative inductive analysis of the interactions from consultation transcripts.Results46/58 conversations about family health history were initiated by the GP. Most discussions around family history lasted for between approximately 1 to 2 min. Patients were invited to share family health history through one of two ways: non-specific enquiry (eg, by asking the patient about ‘anything that runs in the family’); or specific enquiry where they were asked if they had a ‘strong family history’ in relation to a particular condition, for example, breast cancer. Patients often responded to either approach with a simple no, but fuller negative responses also occurred regularly and typically included an account of some kind (eg, explaining family relationships/dynamics which impeded or prevented the accessibility of information).ConclusionsFamily health history is regarded as a genetic test and is embedded in the sociocultural norms of the patient from whom information is being sought. Our findings highlight that it is more complex than asking simply if ‘anything’ runs in the family. As the collection of family health history is expected to be more routine, it will be important to also consider it from sociocultural perspectives in order to help mitigate any inequities in how family history is collected, and therefore used (or not) in a person’s healthcare. Orientating an enquiry away from ‘anything’ and asking more specific details about particular conditions may help facilitate the dialogue.

Objective: To gain a deeper understanding of women's experiences with accessing care for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), in order to inform future strategies in early detection of endometrial cancer. Design: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 women who attended their first gynaecological specialist consultation for abnormal uterine bleeding at Wellington Regional Hospital between October-December 2019. Inductive thematic analysis was used to decipher facilitators and barriers to care. Results: Thirty women were invited to participate in the study. The medium age of the final participant cohort was 45 years, with women self-identifying as New Zealand European (9/15), Māori (2/15) and Pasifika (4/15). All women had sought investigation for their AUB in primary care, for some women this was over a timeframe of many years. For all women, AUB had a significant and traumatic impact on their quality of life including their relationships and their work or education. Women described how they felt they often received inadequate care for AUB, and negative experiences with their general practitioner. Timely access was further compounded by feelings of embarrassment and that AUB was taboo subject and being able to discuss it with family, friends and their general practitioners. Conclusion: Women in our cohort experienced a multitude of compounding influences that acted as barriers to them having access to appropriate and timely care. Information campaigns that create awareness around 'abnormal periods' alongside better health provider practice guidelines for AUB investigation need to be a priority.