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Women's views and experiences of outpatient hysteroscopy: Implications for a patient‐centered service
Author(s) -
Morgan Myfanwy,
Dodds Wendy,
Wolfe Charles,
Raju Shanti
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2004.00202.x
Subject(s) - psychosocial , context (archaeology) , anxiety , medicine , qualitative research , hysteroscopy , nursing , family medicine , psychiatry , gynecology , paleontology , social science , sociology , biology
This study examined women's views and experiences of an invasive outpatient procedure and was undertaken in the context of the UK Government's policy of developing a patient‐centered service. The research was based on a consecutive series of 30 attendees for outpatient hysteroscopy at a London hospital. Pain was recorded using linear analog scales, qualitative semistructured interviews were undertaken and a diary was completed for 3 days following the procedure. Overall pain ratings for 13 women (45%) were classified as a medium to high score. However, nearly all women preferred a future outpatient procedure. A range of factors influenced this preference, including their ability to cope with the pain, the reduced anxiety associated with undergoing the procedure immediately, a dislike of general anesthetics and the convenience of not disrupting usual routines. The psychosocial aspects of care were also identified as important in assisting women to cope, and form a key factor influencing patient's evaluation of services.