Chronic pelvic pain in women: illness, disease and medical attitudes
Chronic pelvic pain in women: illness, disease and medical attitudes
The aim of this study was i) to describe the clinical investigation, treatment and management of chronic pelvic pain in women, ii) to place medical attitudes to the problem in a socio-cultural context, iii) to design simple tools to optimise investigation and treatment and to test whether the introduction of such tools was beneficial.
A longitudinal observational study was conducted to describe the clinical characteristics of women referred to the Princess Anne Hospital suffering from chronic pelvic pain. An attitude questionnaire was developed and sent to practising gynaecologists who were members and fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Based on the results of the longitudinal observational study simple tools were designed and introduced to practising gynaecologists at the Princess Anne Hospital. Written evaluation studies were undertaken to test whether the tools and intervention programme were beneficial and the observation study was repeated to assess improvements in patient outcome.
The longitudinal observational study identified factors predictive of higher levels of pain at follow-up. Detailed statistical modelling demonstrated associations between endometriosis, an initial high level of pain and a disruption of normal activity and a favourable assessment of the initial consultation by the patient was also found to predict recovery. A five factor model of attitudes was identified consisting of the constructs 'efficiency', 'complexity', 'socio-cultural liberalism', 'pathology', and 'communication'. A local study confirmed the construct of 'socio-cultural liberalism' as enduring. The introduction of clinical tools met with an equivocal response in terms of acceptability and the second observational study demonstrated that medical practice had changed little.
This multi-dimensional approach to the study of women suffering from chronic pelvic pain has usefully expanded knowledge on the subject. Recourse to theories relating to illness in as postmodern world, the influence of feminist ideals in conjunction with cultural changes in the last 25 years and the choice of the most appropriate methodology have all contributed to a broadening of the understanding of the management of this distressing and disabling condition.
University of Southampton
1998
Selfe, Susan Anne
(1998)
Chronic pelvic pain in women: illness, disease and medical attitudes.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The aim of this study was i) to describe the clinical investigation, treatment and management of chronic pelvic pain in women, ii) to place medical attitudes to the problem in a socio-cultural context, iii) to design simple tools to optimise investigation and treatment and to test whether the introduction of such tools was beneficial.
A longitudinal observational study was conducted to describe the clinical characteristics of women referred to the Princess Anne Hospital suffering from chronic pelvic pain. An attitude questionnaire was developed and sent to practising gynaecologists who were members and fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Based on the results of the longitudinal observational study simple tools were designed and introduced to practising gynaecologists at the Princess Anne Hospital. Written evaluation studies were undertaken to test whether the tools and intervention programme were beneficial and the observation study was repeated to assess improvements in patient outcome.
The longitudinal observational study identified factors predictive of higher levels of pain at follow-up. Detailed statistical modelling demonstrated associations between endometriosis, an initial high level of pain and a disruption of normal activity and a favourable assessment of the initial consultation by the patient was also found to predict recovery. A five factor model of attitudes was identified consisting of the constructs 'efficiency', 'complexity', 'socio-cultural liberalism', 'pathology', and 'communication'. A local study confirmed the construct of 'socio-cultural liberalism' as enduring. The introduction of clinical tools met with an equivocal response in terms of acceptability and the second observational study demonstrated that medical practice had changed little.
This multi-dimensional approach to the study of women suffering from chronic pelvic pain has usefully expanded knowledge on the subject. Recourse to theories relating to illness in as postmodern world, the influence of feminist ideals in conjunction with cultural changes in the last 25 years and the choice of the most appropriate methodology have all contributed to a broadening of the understanding of the management of this distressing and disabling condition.
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Published date: 1998
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Local EPrints ID: 463396
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/463396
PURE UUID: 8552084c-5678-4581-b710-1f726168896c
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 20:51
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 20:51
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Author:
Susan Anne Selfe
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