What can be done to improve polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) healthcare? Insights from semi-structured interviews with women in Canada
Open accessAbstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and perplexing condition affecting metabolic, reproductive, cardiovascular, and psychological health in women. Previous studies point to widespread dissatisfaction and frustration in women with the information and care they receive. Studies have found delays with the diagnosis of PCOS and gaps in knowledge in physicians regarding the diagnosis and management of PCOS. Little has been heard from women on what they think can be improved with PCOS care, especially in Canada. This qualitative study explores women’s experiences navigating the healthcare system and their insights on what could be improved based on their lived experiences. Methods: Twenty-five participants were interviewed remotely over the phone by the first author between October and December 2018.Interviews were semi-structured and in-depth. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and interpretive description methodology. Results: Twenty-five in-depth interviews conducted with participants across Canada (ages 18–63) revealed three overall areas in need of improvement. First, women emphasized a need for greater knowledge and awareness of PCOS in primary care physicians (PCPs) as well as the need for the medical community to prioritize women’s health. Second, participants advocated for greater PCOS awareness and de-stigmatization in the general community and in women and girls, and any individuals with female reproductive systems. Third, participants brought up several needed resources, such as the need for more PCOS research to be funded and undertaken, more PCOS specialists and experts to be available, credible doctor-provided information (e.g., pamphlets, websites), and age-specific support groups and mental health supports to be available. Participants were generally unaware of existing PCOS organizations and brought up the need for established PCOS organizations to aid in the training and retraining of doctors and local awareness-building in communities. Conclusions: Participants believed that PCPs in Canada needed to be well-versed on how to diagnose and manage PCOS to prevent delays in diagnosis and provide easier access to care. Further, greater awareness and de-stigmatization in the general community are needed so women can identify symptoms early and have access to support from those around them. Overall, PCOS may be an overlooked and under-prioritized condition, both in the Canadian healthcare system and general community.
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Individuals with PCOS prefer multi-disciplinary, integrated care by health professionals with expertise in PCOS who listen and help them focus on practical skills when providing lifestyle advice, ultimately empowering them to self-manage their condition.
“Given the lack of definite PCOS treatment, individuals with PCOS have expressed the preference for multi-disciplinary, integrated care by health professionals with expertise in PCOS who will listen and help them to focus on practical skills when providing lifestyle advice, ultimately empowering them to self-manage their condition [9,10].”
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- Authors
- Ismayilova, M., & Yaya, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Ottawa (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Yaya, Sanni
- ORCID
- Yaya, Sanni
- Venue
- BMC Women's Health
- Published
- 2022-05-10
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 157-157
- ISSN
- 1472-6874 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC9092874
- OpenAlex
- W4280544084
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 68
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 7.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- BMC Women s Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- uO Research (University of Ottawa) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Keywords
- polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS awareness, stigma, women's health, mental health support, patient perspectives, Canada
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Canada, Delivery of Health Care, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Women's Health, Qualitative Research, Young Adult
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