Satisfaction with medical support in women with endometriosis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208023
• Publication Date: 2018-11-29T18:47:46Z
• Authors: Ilona Lukas; Alexandra Kohl-Sc...; Kirsten Geraedts; Martina Rauchfuss; Monika M. Wölfler; Felix Häberlin; Stephanie von Orelli; Markus Eberhard; Bruno Imthurn; Patrick Imesch; Brigitte Leeners
• Keywords: Adult; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Science; Emotions; Endometriosis; 610 Medicine & health; 1100 General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Personal Satisfaction; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 1300 General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Patient Medication Knowledge; 10. No inequality; Retrospective Studies; Q; R; 10175 Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology; Middle Aged; 10174 Clinic for Gynecology; 3. Good health; Patient Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Medicine; Female; Stress, Psychological; Research Article; Forecasting

Endometriosis affects various aspects of women's lives. We searched for predictors for patient satisfaction with medical support (PSwMS) in women with endometriosis. The study was designed as a multi-centre retrospective cohort study. We approached women with histologically confirmed endometriosis from 2010 until 2016, comparing women satisfied to women dissatisfied with medical support. We analysed data on characteristics of endometriosis, PSwMS and the influence of disease characteristics on PSwMS. Information on satisfaction with medical support was collected through a standardized questionnaire. After exclusion of 73 women because of inchoately filled in questionnaires, data from 498 women was evaluated. Altogether, it was observed that 54.6% (n = 272) of the study participants were satisfied with medical support and 45.4% (n = 226) were not. Feeling adequately informed by the time of diagnosis (p < 0.001), taking women's mental troubles seriously (p < 0.001) and supporting women in handling their pain (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with satisfaction. We found adequate information to be the most distinctive indicator for PSwMS. Further, acknowledging psychological distress and supporting women in handling their symptoms rather than to alleviate them, positively affect PSwMS. To achieve PSwMS, healthcare providers have to give adequate information on endometriosis and its management.