International Journal of General Medicine (Apr 2024)
Laying the Groundwork: A Pilot Study Exploring Improved Endometriosis Management Strategies in Primary Healthcare
Abstract
Maria Öberg Westin,1 Carl Wikberg,1,2 Cecilia Björkelund,1 Nashmil Ariai,1 Ann-Christine Lindahl,1 Dominique Hange1,2 1Primary Health Care/School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2Research, Education, Development & Innovation, Primary Health Care, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, SwedenCorrespondence: Carl Wikberg, Primary Health Care/School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Tel +46703821660, Email [email protected]: To evaluate if a brief educational intervention for primary health care staff regarding endometriosis gives sustainable knowledge of endometriosis symptoms and if a brief questionnaire for women seeking care for common symptoms is feasible in the Swedish primary care context.Design: Pilot study.Setting: 3 primary care centres (PCCs) in Sweden. Exploring knowledge among staff about endometriosis at baseline and 3 months after an information workshop. Evaluation of feasibility of a brief questionnaire for women seeking care for common symptoms For PCC personnel: knowledge about endometriosis at baseline and after 3 months. For patient questionnaire: whether adequate, understandable, acceptable, and feasible.Participants: Females in primary care centre waiting room, and staff members at participating PCCs.Results: The knowledge level of endometriosis was improved or sustained after 3 months compared to baseline among staff at PCCs. Over 90% of the patients stated that the questionnaire was adequate, understandable, acceptable, and feasible.Conclusion: We found that an educational programme improved the staff’s knowledge about endometriosis. The programme together with the patient questionnaire could be a way to enhance knowledge about endometriosis among PCCs. This combined effort might facilitate earlier detection and treatment of women with endometriosis.Keywords: endometriosis, primary care, diagnosis, educational intervention
