The decision-making process for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Abstract

This pilot study was conducted to investigate the treatment decision-making process of patients and physicians for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Frequently, women with AUB are referred for hysterectomy without diagnostic workup, alternative therapeutic management, or patient input (i.e., patient treatment preferences). Variations in treatment strategies used for patients may be related to a number of factors external to the patient's underlying disease. However, little is known about which factors are most influential or about the extent to which they influence physicians' and patients' decisions. We prospectively followed the management and treatment of 52 women with complaints of AUB and examined differences in treatment among these patients. Extensive previsit interviews were conducted with these women to identify each patient's symptoms, health status, functional status, and preferences for and expectations of treatment. We then conducted telephone interviews within a week of the visit and again 9-12 months later to determine the treatment plan, patient level of participation in and satisfaction with the treatment, symptoms, and functional status. Overall, our findings suggest that patients want to be involved in making treatment decisions and that when women were presented with alternatives to hysterectomy, many chose alternative medical therapy or other surgical procedures. In addition, women reported that these alternative treatments produced significant improvement in symptom intensity and functioning. Increased patient participation in decision making enhanced patient satisfaction. These findings suggest that hysterectomy rates may be decreased by offering women alternative treatments and by finding ways to increase women's participation in their treatment decisions.