Treatment decision-making and information-seeking preferences in women with pelvic floor disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The Autonomy Preference Index (API) and Control Preferences Scale (CPS) measure information-seeking and decision-making preferences. Our objective was to validate these scales in women with pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) and identify variables associated with decision-making preferences.


METHODS
Women seeking care for PFDs completed the API and the CPS. Psychometric properties were determined. Multivariable analyses were used to identify correlates of information-seeking and decision-making preferences.


RESULTS
One hundred ten women were recruited. Both scales demonstrated good psychometric properties (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.5 to 0.7; Cronbach's alpha = 0.8 for the API, and r = -0.3 between the API and CPS). Based on scores, women had strong preferences to be well informed, but were more neutral in their decision-making preferences. In multivariable analyses, higher education levels were associated with a stronger desire for seeking medical information.


CONCLUSIONS
Women seeking care for PFDs vary in their preferences for participating in treatment decisions.
Sung
Vivian W
VW
The Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants' Hospital/Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 695 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. vsung@wihri.org
Raker
Christina A
CA
Myers
Deborah L
DL
Clark
Melissa A
MA
D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000601:surgery*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*