Wissing Myrthe C, van der Net Lotte, Engels Yvonne, Vissers Kris C P, Kluivers Kirsten B, Wal Selina van der, Notten Kim J B
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2025 Aug 5;50(8):658-666. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2024-105548.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a complex multifactorial condition with an increasing prevalence probably due to a rising awareness. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is pain in the pelvic area and often accompanied with complaints in other organ systems of the lesser pelvis. Patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome who present at our center are evaluated in a standardized care pathway with an integrated multidisciplinary consultation. The team works in a single center and consists of gynecologists, pain specialists, urologists, a pelvic floor physiotherapist and a psychologist. The aim of this interview study is to evaluate the value of the multidisciplinary consultation from the patient's perspectives.
In a qualitative study, we evaluated the experiences and perspectives of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome concerning the multidisciplinary consultation at the Radboud University Medical Center. Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome who attended a multidisciplinary consultation between 2019 and 2022. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed via ATLAS.ti with the conventional content analysis.
Data saturation was reached after seven interviews, followed by three confirmative interviews. In total, 10 patients (22-76 years) participated in the study. Three relevant themes were identified in the interviews: the deleterious effects of pain on overall health, the importance of the design of the multidisciplinary consultation, and the performance of healthcare professionals (knowledge, skills and interaction with patients and colleagues). Participants suggested that although the consultation did not improve their pain experience, there was value in having a comprehensive assessment of their disease. Patients preferred the consultation to occur at the beginning of the care. Additionally, they acknowledged the performance of healthcare providers and having their complaints recognized. However, some participants suggested the need for additional attention to mental health issues during the multidisciplinary consultation.
Even though patients did not perceive the multidisciplinary consultation to improve their pain experience, they appreciated the sense of recognition by this team.
A multidisciplinary consultation is of value from the patients' perspective. A suggestion for improvement emerged where the multidisciplinary consultation should occur at the beginning of the patient journey.
慢性盆腔疼痛综合征是一种复杂的多因素病症，其患病率可能因认知度提高而不断上升。慢性盆腔疼痛综合征是指盆腔区域疼痛，常伴有盆腔内其他器官系统的不适症状。在我们中心就诊的慢性盆腔疼痛综合征患者，会通过标准化护理路径接受综合多学科会诊评估。该团队在单一中心工作，成员包括妇科医生、疼痛专家、泌尿科医生、盆底物理治疗师和心理学家。本访谈研究的目的是从患者角度评估多学科会诊的价值。
在一项定性研究中，我们评估了拉德堡德大学医学中心慢性盆腔疼痛综合征患者对多学科会诊的体验和看法。对2019年至2022年间参加多学科会诊的慢性盆腔疼痛综合征患者进行了半结构化访谈。所有访谈均逐字转录，通过ATLAS.ti采用传统内容分析法进行编码和分析。
七次访谈后达到数据饱和，随后进行了三次确认性访谈。共有10名患者（22至76岁）参与了该研究。访谈中确定了三个相关主题：疼痛对整体健康的有害影响、多学科会诊设计的重要性以及医疗保健专业人员的表现（知识、技能以及与患者和同事的互动）。参与者表示，尽管会诊并未改善他们的疼痛体验，但对疾病进行全面评估是有价值的。患者希望会诊在护理开始时进行。此外，他们认可医疗保健提供者的表现以及自己的诉求得到了认可。然而，一些参与者建议在多学科会诊期间需要额外关注心理健康问题。
尽管患者认为多学科会诊并未改善他们的疼痛体验，但他们赞赏该团队给予的认可感。
从患者角度来看，多学科会诊是有价值的。出现了一项改进建议，即多学科会诊应在患者就医旅程开始时进行。
