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Lerner VT, Donnellan NM, Siedhoff MT, Truong MD, King CR. Care Delivery for Patients with Leiomyomas: Failures, Real-Life Experiences, Analysis of Barriers, and Proposed Restorative Remedies. Health Equity 2023; 7:439-452. [PMID: 37638119 PMCID: PMC10457642 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2022.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we describe historical and contemporary influences that prevent patients with fibroids from getting appropriate medical care. Using patient stories as examples, we highlight how misogyny on all levels hurts patients and prevents medical teams from doing their best. Importantly, inequity and disparities result in massive gaps in care delivery. We suggest that we, as gynecologists and surgeons, must join public discourse on this topic to highlight the inadequacies of care delivery and the reasons behind it, suggest potential solutions, and join patients and communities in formulating and implementing remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica T. Lerner
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicole M. Donnellan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mathew T. Siedhoff
- Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mireille D. Truong
- Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cara R. King
- Section of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Invitti AL, Demetriou L. Editorial: The impact of endometriosis. Front Glob Womens Health 2023; 4:1190974. [PMID: 37284278 PMCID: PMC10240052 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.1190974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Luckow Invitti
- Setor de Algia Pélvica e Endometriose, Departamento de Ginecologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, Medical Science Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lysia Demetriou
- Pain in Women, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, Medical Science Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Movilla P, van Reesema L, Andrews B, Gaughan T, Loring M, Bhakta A, Hoffman M. Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Perioperative Outcomes During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2022; 29:1268-1277. [PMID: 36130704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess whether complications incurred during hysterectomy for the treatment of endometriosis differ among racial-ethnic groups. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2014 to 2019. This database is a robust, comprehensive, multi-institutional database with nearly 700 participating hospitals. PATIENTS Patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis or with an endometriosis-associated symptom as the primary indication for surgery and surgical intraoperative documentation of endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS Compare perioperative complications based on patient race and ethnicity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 5639 patients underwent hysterectomy for endometriosis; of these, 4368 were White patients (77.5%), 528 Black patients (9.4%), 491 Hispanic patients (8.7%), 252 Asian patients (4.5%). There was no association between location of endometriosis and patient race and ethnicity. However, White patients had highest rate, and Asian patients had the lowest rate of laparoscopic hysterectomy, 85.3% vs 69.8%, respectively (p <.01). In addition, there were differences in concomitant procedures performed at time of hysterectomy based on race and ethnicity, with White patients having the highest rates of adnexal/peritoneal surgery at 12.5% (p <.01) compared with patients of the other racial and ethnic groups. Asian patients had the highest rate of ureteral surgery at 6.8% (p <.01) and highest rate of intestinal surgery at 16.3% (p <.01) compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups. There was no association of rates of concomitant bladder surgery, appendectomy, or rectal surgery with patient race and ethnicity. Black patients had the highest rate of minor complications at 13.5% (p <.01) and the highest rate of major complications at 6.6% (p <.01) compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups. After multivariable analysis, Black patients still had increased odds of having a major complication compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups even after controlling for patient characteristics and perioperative factors such as endometriosis lesion location, surgical approach, and concomitant procedures (odds ratio 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.45). CONCLUSION Endometriosis lesion location did not differ with patient race and ethnicity. However, patient race and ethnicity did have an impact on the surgical approach and the concomitant surgical procedures performed at time of hysterectomy. Black patients had the highest odds of major complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Movilla
- From the Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts.
| | | | | | | | - Megan Loring
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, and Gynecologic Surgery Department, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
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Ellis K, Munro D, Wood R. The experiences of endometriosis patients with diagnosis and treatment in New Zealand. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:991045. [PMID: 36118149 PMCID: PMC9471549 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.991045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronically painful, invasive, inflammatory disease, with limited treatment options and long delays to diagnosis, which impacts 10% of females in New Zealand. Introduction As part of a larger group discussion study, this paper covers three themes associated with endometriosis patient experiences: intensity of pain, diagnostic tool shortcomings and perspectives of treatment options. Materials and methods The goal of this research was the inclusion of patient voices to guide research priorities. In early 2022, 50 New Zealand endometriosis patients participated in anonymous, asynchronous, text-based group discussions on the VisionsLive platform. The patients ranged in age from 18-48. The patients answered 50 questions, 23 text-based and 27 quantitative, and then took part in online group discussions. Results and discussion The average age of symptom onset was 15.3 years, while the average delay from symptom onset to a working or surgically confirmed diagnosis was 7.91 years. The top five reported symptoms within the cohort were pain-based, and the participants discussed the many impacts of this pain on their work and education. The four main diagnostic tools employed on this cohort were abdominal ultrasound (72%), transvaginal ultrasound (68%), laparoscopy (82%) and sharing their symptom history with a medical practitioner (88%). The most common emotions patients experienced following receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis were relief (86%), feeling overwhelmed (54%), and anger (32%). The main treatments offered to this cohort were pain relief (96%), laparoscopic surgery (84%) and the combined oral contraceptive pill (80%). Of these three treatments, only laparoscopic surgery was viewed positively by the majority of users, with 67% considering laparoscopy an effective treatment, compared to 46% of users for pain relief, and 25% of users for the combined oral contraceptive pill. Conclusions Gathering the voice of patients revealed that long delays to diagnosis and dismissal by medical practitioners frequently manifests as a reaction of relief by patients once diagnosed. Results also showed treatment options such as pain relief and hormonal medications were often considered ineffective, but were routinely offered as the first, or only, options for patients. It is therefore important that both quicker routes to diagnosis and more effective treatment options be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ellis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Deborah Munro
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- The Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Rachael Wood
- The Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Arentz S, Smith C, Redmond R, Abbott J, Armour M. A cross-sectional study of traditional Chinese medicine practitioner's knowledge, treatment strategies and integration of practice of chronic pelvic pain in women. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:174. [PMID: 34167548 PMCID: PMC8229696 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is persistent, intermittent cyclical and non-cyclical lower abdominal pain, lasting for more than 6 months. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a popular treatment option for women's health conditions, but little is known about how treatment for CPP is delivered by TCM practitioners. The aim of this survey was to explore practitioners understanding and treatment of women with CPP, and how they integrate their management and care into the health care system. METHOD An online cross-sectional survey of registered TCM practitioners in Australia and New Zealand between May and October 2018. Survey domains included treatment characteristics (e.g. frequency), evaluation of treatment efficacy, referral networks, and sources of information that informed clinical decision making. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-two registered TCM practitioners responded to this survey, 91.7% reported regular treatment of women with CPP. Treatment decisions were most-often guided by a combination of biomedical and TCM diagnosis (77.6%), and once per week was the most common treatment frequency (66.7%) for acupuncture. Meditation (63.7%) and dietary changes (57.8%) were other commonly used approaches to management. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed using multiple approaches, most commonly pain scales, (such as the numeric rating scale) and any change in use of analgesic medications. Limitations to TCM treatment were reported by over three quarters (83.7%) of practitioners, most commonly due to cost (56.5%) and inconvenience (40.2%) rather than safety or lack of efficacy. Sources informing practice were most often Integration within the wider healthcare system was common with over two thirds (67.9%) receiving referrals from health care providers. CONCLUSION TCM practitioners seeing women with various CPP symptoms, commonly incorporate both traditional and modern diagnostic methods to inform their treatment plan, monitor treatment progress using commonly accepted approaches and measures and often as a part of multidisciplinary healthcare for women with CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Arentz
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Caroline Smith
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Rebecca Redmond
- Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Office of Research, Endeavour College of Natural Health, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason Abbott
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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Pettersson A, Berterö CM. How Women with Endometriosis Experience Health Care Encounters. WOMEN'S HEALTH REPORTS (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2020; 1:529-542. [PMID: 33786519 PMCID: PMC7785068 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2020.0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this meta-synthesis was to synthesize and interpret the available qualitative studies to increase our understanding and extend knowledge about how women with endometriosis experience health care encounters. Methods: The literature review was carried out using CINAHL, Psychinfo, Academic Search Premier, PubMed, and Scopus, from 2000 to 2018, and was limited to articles in English. Articles were only included if they reported original relevant research on endometriosis and women experiences. Results: The meta-synthesis was based on 14 relevant studies. They included 370 women with diagnosed endometriosis, 16-78 years of age. Three fusions were identified and interpreted in this meta-synthesis. The first was: Insufficiency knowledge, where the physicians could judge the symptoms to be normal menstruation without examining whether there were other underlying causes. The second fusion was Trivializing-just a women's issue, where the physicians thought that the symptoms were part of being a woman, and women's' discomfort was trivialized or completely disregarded. The third fusion was Competency promotes health, where the insufficiency of knowledge became a minor concern if women had a supportive relationship with their physician and the physician showed interest in their problems. Conclusions: Women with endometriosis experience that they are treated with ignorance regarding endometriosis in nonspecialized care. They experience delays in both their diagnosis and treatment and feel that health care professionals do not take their problems seriously. In addition, it appears that increased expertise and improved attitudes among health care professionals could improve the life situation of women with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Pettersson
- Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carina M. Berterö
- Division of Nursing Science and Reproductive Health, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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