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The diagnosis and lived experience of polycystic ovary syndrome: A qualitative study.
- Source :
- Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.); Oct2017, Vol. 73 Issue 10, p2318-2326, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Aims To explore the impact of the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome on health/ill health identity, how women experience this diagnosis and their health beliefs. Background Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common and heterogeneous condition, giving rise to a wide range of different health concerns. Previous research on polycystic ovary syndrome has been dominated by the medical perspective and less is known about the experiences and needs of women. Design A qualitative study of 32 premenopausal adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (diagnosis confirmed by Rotterdam criteria), aged between 18 and 45 years, recruited from a primary and secondary care setting. Methods Thematic analysis of transcripts from 11 focus groups conducted between 2013-2015. Results/Findings Women identified a range of concerns affecting personal and reproductive identity, health knowledge and beliefs: (1) delays and barriers to diagnosis; (2) general lack of empathy by the medical profession; (3) difficulty in accessing specialist referral; (4) lack of information from professionals; (5) inconsistent and sometimes unsatisfactory experiences with medications; (6) insufficient help and advice regarding in/fertility; (7) relative lack of awareness or concern about longer term risks such as diabetes; and (8) significant discrepancies between the beliefs of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and how they experienced the attitudes of healthcare professionals. Conclusions There appears to be a divergence between women's experience and attitudes of healthcare professionals. The diagnosis, support and lived experience of women with polycystic ovary syndrome could be enhanced by better professional recognition of these concerns, improved knowledge and communication about polycystic ovary syndrome and better access to support and specialist advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- POLYCYSTIC ovary syndrome treatment
ATTITUDE (Psychology)
BODY image
DIAGNOSIS
EMPATHY
EXPERIENCE
FERTILITY
FOCUS groups
HEALTH
HEALTH attitudes
HEALTH services accessibility
MEDICAL errors
PATIENT education
PHYSICIAN-patient relations
RESEARCH funding
POLYCYSTIC ovary syndrome
THERAPEUTICS
INFORMATION resources
PERIMENOPAUSE
REPRODUCTIVE health
QUALITATIVE research
JUDGMENT sampling
THEMATIC analysis
BODY mass index
DISEASE complications
SYMPTOMS
PSYCHOLOGY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03092402
- Volume :
- 73
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 125109977
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13300