Attitudes of women with chronic pelvic pain to the gynaecological consultation: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective To describe the attitudes that women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) attending gynaecology clinics have to their consultations and to determine the ways in which their health care can be improved.Design Qualitative study using semistructured individual interviews.Setting UK gynaecology outpatient clinics in district general and teaching hospitals.Sample Twenty-six women with CPP.Methods Semistructured individual interviews were conducted. Data gathering and analysis followed a grounded theory approach.Main outcome measures Women's wishes regarding their care and their actual experiences of care.Results Four main themes emerged. The women wanted (a) personal care, which they often did not receive; (b) to feel understood and to be taken seriously, although they often felt dismissed, which applied both to women with and without an explanation for their pain; (c) explanation as much as cure, but an adequate explanation was often not provided; and (d) to be reassured, which often they were not. Effective reassurance was complex as it included general reassurance and specific reassurance about cause and treatment.Conclusions Improvements are needed in the outpatient care of women presenting with CPP. Changes should focus on providing more personal care, so that presenting problems are seen to be taken seriously, findings and management are appropriately explained, and women are more effectively reassured. Interventions need to be developed that meet these needs and tested to determine if they are feasible, acceptable, and improve outcomes.

Kundalini yoga as mutual recovery: a feasibility study including children in care and their carers

“…Because of the exploratory nature of the semi-structured interview, terms such as "all", "most", "a few" and "one" are used, following the recommendations of Price et al (2006 3. Recommendation about the design of yoga programmes in children's home: participant's insights concerning induction and introduction to the sessions, yoga implementation, and continuing yoga practice after the study (e.g.…”

Obstetrics-Gynecology Resident Attitudes and Perceptions About Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Targeted Needs Assessment to Aid Curriculum Development

“…7 Anecdotal evidence and limited literature suggest that obstetrics-gynecology and general practice physicians and residents from varied regions and cultural backgrounds have predominantly negative perceptions of patients who seek care for CPP. [4][5][6][7][8] Current literature also supports the complex nature of diagnosis and potential clinical approaches required to address the needs of women afflicted with CPP.…”

“…7 Anecdotal evidence and limited literature suggest that obstetrics-gynecology and general practice physicians and residents from varied regions and cultural backgrounds have predominantly negative perceptions of patients who seek care for CPP. [4][5][6][7][8] Current literature also supports the complex nature of diagnosis and potential clinical approaches required to address the needs of women afflicted with CPP. [9][10][11][12] Resident attitudes and perceptions may create barriers to interest in learning and compassionate treatment of these patients, and improvements in resident education in this area are needed.…”

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“…This allows engagement in further investigations and management of their condition. 15,16 It is important to explain that BPS is a chronic condition with periods of fluctuating symptom severity, where symptoms may be life-long. Symptom assessment forms the basis of the initial evaluation.…”