434 MISCONCEPTIONS AND PATIENT-PROVIDER MISCOMMUNICATION AMONG WOMEN WITH PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyGeneral & Epidemiological Trends & Socioeconomics: Quality of Life1 Apr 2013434 MISCONCEPTIONS AND PATIENT-PROVIDER MISCOMMUNICATION AMONG WOMEN WITH PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE Forrest C. Jellison, Cecilia K. Wieslander, Alexandriah N. Alas, Gena C. Dunivan, Claudia Sevilla, Sara B. Cichowski, Ernesto Álvarez, Sally L. Maliski, Karyn S. Eilber, Rebecca G. Rogers, and Jennifer T. Anger Forrest C. JellisonForrest C. Jellison Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Cecilia K. WieslanderCecilia K. Wieslander Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Alexandriah N. AlasAlexandriah N. Alas Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Gena C. DunivanGena C. Dunivan Albuquerque, NM More articles by this author , Claudia SevillaClaudia Sevilla Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Sara B. CichowskiSara B. Cichowski Albuquerque, NM More articles by this author , Ernesto ÁlvarezErnesto Álvarez Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Sally L. MaliskiSally L. Maliski Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Karyn S. EilberKaryn S. Eilber Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Rebecca G. RogersRebecca G. Rogers Albuquerque, NM More articles by this author , and Jennifer T. AngerJennifer T. Anger Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.1824AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To better understand women's experience with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms and the care they receive through conducting patient focus groups. We sought to understand factors that prevent disease understanding among both Spanish- and English speaking women of varying socioeconomic backgrounds. METHODS Women with POP were recruited from academic female Urology and Urogynecology clinics at Cedars–Sinai Medical Center and Olive View Medical Center (Los Angeles), and the University of New Mexico. A total of eight focus groups were conducted with 8 or fewer women in each group, totaling 57 subjects. Four groups were conducted in English and four in Spanish. A trained bilingual clinician served as moderator for each focus group. Topics addressed patients' emotional response when noticing their prolapse, how they sought support, what verbal and written information was given to them, what treatment options were offered and their overall feelings of the process. Additionally, Spanish speakers were asked about translators and their effectiveness. Qualitative data analysis was performed using grounded theory methodology, as described by Charmaz. RESULTS Qualitative analysis yielded two preliminary themes: First, women had misconceptions about what POP was as well as its causes and treatments, which led to fear, shame and disgust. Secondly, there was miscommunication between patient and physician which led to decreased understanding about the diagnosis and treatment options. This included the fact that women were often overwhelmed with information, particularly if they had more than one pelvic floor condition. Emergent concepts included the need for better methods to achieve disease and treatment understanding among women with POP. CONCLUSIONS Our data emphasize that women with POP have considerable misconceptions about their disease. In addition, there is miscommunication during the patient–physician interaction that leads to further confusion. Spending more time explaining the diagnosis of POP rather than focusing solely on treatment options, using visual aids, and providing handouts, may reduce miscommunication and increase patient understanding. © 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 189Issue 4SApril 2013Page: e176-e177 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Forrest C. Jellison Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Cecilia K. Wieslander Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Alexandriah N. Alas Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Gena C. Dunivan Albuquerque, NM More articles by this author Claudia Sevilla Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Sara B. Cichowski Albuquerque, NM More articles by this author Ernesto Álvarez Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Sally L. Maliski Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Karyn S. Eilber Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Rebecca G. Rogers Albuquerque, NM More articles by this author Jennifer T. Anger Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...