Abstract
Objective
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition in women, and care experiences are distressing and unsatisfactory for many. Research suggests that elements of the initial hospital consultation influence clinical outcome. This study aimed to identify the dimensions through which initial consultations were subsequently recalled at follow-up.
Method
A questionnaire study of 100 women, 6 months following a hospital gynaecology consultation for CPP, was conducted. Measures of pain and ratings of the medical consultation were completed at initial consultation and at follow-up.
Results
Follow-up questionnaire items loaded to constructs of “affect”, “expectation”, and “cognition”, forming three subscales. Patients' initial ratings of the consultation and scores on all three subscales measured at follow-up were correlated, remaining significant for both affect and expectation after controlling for current pain status.
Conclusion
Doctor's affect and the appropriateness of information to meet expectations are important influences on experiences of care and contribute to the long-term therapeutic element of the consultation.
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition in women, and care experiences are distressing and unsatisfactory for many. Research suggests that elements of the initial hospital consultation influence clinical outcome. This study aimed to identify the dimensions through which initial consultations were subsequently recalled at follow-up.
Method
A questionnaire study of 100 women, 6 months following a hospital gynaecology consultation for CPP, was conducted. Measures of pain and ratings of the medical consultation were completed at initial consultation and at follow-up.
Results
Follow-up questionnaire items loaded to constructs of “affect”, “expectation”, and “cognition”, forming three subscales. Patients' initial ratings of the consultation and scores on all three subscales measured at follow-up were correlated, remaining significant for both affect and expectation after controlling for current pain status.
Conclusion
Doctor's affect and the appropriateness of information to meet expectations are important influences on experiences of care and contribute to the long-term therapeutic element of the consultation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 163-167 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Psychosomatic Research |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Feb 2006 |
Keywords
- adolescenta
- adult
- affect
- cognition
- England
- female
- follow-up studies
- hospitals
- university
- humans
- middle aged
- pain measurement
- patient acceptance of health care
- patient education as topic
- patient satisfaction
- pelvic pain
- physician-patient relations
- questionnaires
- referral and consultation