title: Women's experiences of pelvic inflammatory disease: implications for health-care professionals.
abstract: This study explored the health-care experiences of women diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 women diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease. Many women felt empowered about their health post-diagnosis; however, a smaller number reported becoming hyper-vigilant towards symptoms. Infertility was the greatest concern for women. Inadequate information and treatment resulted in negative health experiences, whereas clinician honesty and concern were viewed positively. The findings highlight the need for community education encouraging early presentation for the treatment of pelvic pain and emphasise the need for health practitioners to be responsive to the psychosocial aspects of pelvic inflammatory disease.
authors.affiliation: The University of Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bayly
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Fairley
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temple-Smith
authors.forename: Henrietta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McNamee
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Henning
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hocking
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012803:Sick Role; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: health care; pelvic inflammatory disease; qualitative; women’s health