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.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on feedback, the majority of patients were accepting of a multidisciplinary approach to pelvic floor dysfunction and were satisfied with that approach.
Chan
Michelle C
MC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton AB; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB.
Schulz
Jane A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton AB; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB; Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB.
Flood
Cathy G
CG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton AB; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB.
Rosychuk
Rhonda J
RJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB; Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB.
D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D053202:Urinary Incontinence, Urge / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy