International Journal of Nursing Practice · 2003 · 180 citations · 1 references
MedicineGynecologyReproductive HealthWomen's HealthWomen's Health NursingEndometriosisGynecologic DisordersEndometriosis SurgeryFocus Group DiscussionsInformation Needs AnalysisInformation Needs Assessment
Women with endometriosis experience a range of problems for which they may or may not be adequately supported. This paper reports on one aspect of a study conducted at the Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, to identify the information needs of women facing laparoscopy for endometriosis. A number of focus groups were conducted that provided women with a forum for communicating their experiences of endometriosis and laparoscopy. Sixty‑one women reported lack of support, struggles, and losses from living with endometriosis, with the most negative experience being health professionals trivializing symptoms, underscoring the need for nurses to better understand patients’ lived experience.
Women with endometriosis experience a range of problems for which they may or may not be adequately supported. This paper reports on one aspect of a study conducted at the Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, to identify the information needs of women facing laparoscopy for endometriosis. A number of focus groups were conducted that provided women with a forum for communicating their experiences of endometriosis and laparoscopy. The findings include the experiences of 61 women who described the lack of support, the struggles and the losses involved in living with endometriosis. By far the worst experience that these women described was the encounter with health professionals and the ways in which their symptoms were trivialised and dismissed. There is a great deal for nurses to learn about the experience of living with endometriosis if they are to support women with this chronic illness in their search for well‐being.
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