A retrospective review of patients seen in a multidisciplinary pelvic floor clinic.

BACKGROUND

Multidisciplinary team care is becoming more popular for complex health issues, including pelvic floor dysfunction.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the records of 207 patients attending a multidisciplinary pelvic floor dysfunction clinic. A telephone survey was also conducted. The outcomes investigated included conservative versus surgical management, comorbidities, number of specialists seen, and subjective patient feedback.

RESULTS

The average patient was 59.9 years old and travelled an average distance of 128.6 km to attend the clinic. Common clinical presentations were urge urinary incontinence (58.9%) and stress urinary incontinence (54.6%). Ninety-three of 178 patients (52.2%) presented with at least two comorbidities. At the time of data collection, 52.2% of patients had opted for surgical management, 27.5% had chosen conservative management, and the remainder remained undecided. One hundred sixty-five women participated in the telephone survey and their responses were grouped into major themes: (1) wait times, (2) multidisciplinary clinic feedback, and (3) parking, patient education, and information distribution.

CONCLUSION

Based on feedback, the majority of patients were accepting of a multidisciplinary approach to pelvic floor dysfunction and were satisfied with that approach.