Mixed methods study of attitudes on location of gynaecological oncology outpatient care: a patient and healthcare professional questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Gynaecological oncology place of care is often based on evolution of services, along historical professional boundaries, rather than user needs or preferences. We aimed to assess existing evidence, gather views of patients in the UK on their preferred place of outpatient care for gynaecological malignancies and evaluate alignment with preferences of healthcare professionals (HCP). METHODS: We performed a mixed methods study, including a scoping review, a patient survey and a healthcare practitioner questionnaire. We collected quantitative and qualitative data, performing content analysis to determine current practice and impact on patients. RESULTS: No studies were identified in our scoping review. We received responses from 159 patients and 54 gynaecological oncology HCPs. There was a strong preference for a dedicated gynaecological oncology setting (89% somewhat or very happy) (p<0.0001). Fifty-three percent of patients were somewhat or very unhappy to have care colocated with general obstetrics and gynaecology services. Specifically, two key themes were identified through content analysis of qualitative data from patients: 'environment and getting this right is vital'; and 'our cancer should be the priority'. HCPs underestimated the strong patient preference to be seen in dedicated units. Of those who see patients within general obstetrics and gynaecology, only 50% said patients were seen at separate times/locations from obstetric patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the significant impact of place of care on gynaecological oncology patients, which may be underestimated by HCPs.

Importância do diagnóstico por imagem em pacientes com sangramento uterino anormal / Importance of diagnostic imaging in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

O sangramento uterino anormal é diagnóstico sindrômico comum no consultório do ginecologista e pode comprometer substancialmente a qualidade de vida. O objetivo no diagnóstico de sangramento uterino anormal é distinguir pacientes com causas estruturais (anatômicas), como pólipo, adenomiose, leiomioma, malignidade e hiperplasia, de pacientes que apresentam anatomia normal, nas quais o sangramento pode ser devido a alteração dos mecanismos de coagulação, distúrbios ovulatórios, distúrbios primários do endométrio, iatrogenia, ou ter outra causa não classificada. O diagnóstico se inicia a partir de anamnese detalhada e exame físico geral e ginecológico completos, seguidos da solicitação de exames complementares (laboratoriais e de imagem), conforme indicado. O exame de imagem de primeira linha para identificação das causas estruturais inclui a ultrassonografia pélvica. Histerossonografia, histeroscopia, ressonância magnética e amostragem endometrial para exame de anatomia patológica são opções que podem ser incluídas no diagnóstico a depender da necessidade. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a relevância dos exames de imagem na investigação das causas de sangramento uterino anormal.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is one of the commonest presenting complaints encountered in a gynecologist's office and may substantially affect quality of life. The aim in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding is to distinguish women with anatomic causes such as polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyperplasia from women with normal anatomy where the cause may be coagulopathy, ovulatory disorders, endometrial, iatrogenic and not otherwise classified. Diagnosis begins with a thorough history and physical examination followed by appropriate laboratory and imaging tests as indicated. The primary imaging test for the identification of anatomic causes include ultrasonography. Saline infusion sonohysterography, magnetic resonance, hysteroscopy, endometrial sampling are options that can be included in the diagnosis depending on the need. The aim of this article is to present the relevance of imaging exams in the investigation of the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding.

European Society of Gynaecological Oncology Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Vulvar Cancer - Update 2023.

BACKGROUND: As part of its mission to improve the quality of care for women with gynecological cancers across Europe, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) first published in 2017 evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with vulvar cancer. OBJECTIVE: To update the ESGO guidelines based on the new evidence addressing the management of vulvar cancer and to cover new topics in order to provide comprehensive guidelines on all relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment of vulvar cancer. METHODS: The ESGO Council nominated an international development group comprised of practicing clinicians who provide care to vulvar cancer patients and have demonstrated leadership through their expertize in clinical care and research, national and international engagement and profile as well as dedication to the topics addressed to serve on the expert panel (18 experts across Europe). To ensure that the statements were evidence-based, new data identified from a systematic search were reviewed and critically appraised. In the absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the international development group. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 206 international practitioners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives. RESULTS: The updated guidelines cover comprehensively diagnosis and referral, staging, pathology, pre-operative investigations, surgical management (local treatment, groin treatment, sentinel lymph node procedure, reconstructive surgery), (chemo)radiotherapy, systemic treatment, treatment of recurrent disease (vulvar, inguinal, pelvic, and distant recurrences), and follow-up. Management algorithms are also defined.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery for benign diseases in gynecology: A nationwide survey by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

AIM: This study aimed to clarify the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on gynecology practice in Japan, in particular, on surgeries for benign gynecological diseases. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to 966 facilities in Japan, including core facilities, facilities participating in perinatal and gynecologic oncology registries, and facilities certified for training by the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Endoscopy. The number of surgeries performed was compared between 2019 and 2020, when the novel coronavirus disease was prevalent. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty (58.2%) facilities responded. The total number of surgeries decreased from 129 648 in 2019 to 118 565 in 2020, by 8.5%, for all surgical procedures. However, there was a clear increase in the number of robotic surgeries performed in 2020 compared to that in 2019 for all populations. The number of total hysterectomies decreased markedly from 15 385 in 2019 to 12 531 in 2020, a fall of 10.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The number of surgeries for benign gynecological diseases decreased by 8.5% in 2020 compared to that in 2019. This value is among the lowest in the world.

Competência para o cuidado ginecológico na atenção primária à saúde sob a ótica das enfermeiras / Competencia para el cuidado ginecológico en la atención primaria a la salud bajo la óptica de las enfermeras / Competence for gynecological care in primary health care from the perspective of nurses

Objetivo: descrever cuidados ginecológicos de enfermagem realizados com competência na Atenção Primária à Saúde sob a ótica das enfermeiras. Método: pesquisa convergente assistencial realizada com 31 enfermeiras no sul do Brasil, por meio de oficinas temáticas, no período de agosto a setembro de 2020. Os dados foram analisados mediante a proposta de Creswell, apoiado pelo software IRAMUTEQ®. Resultados: emergiram quatro categorias, sendo elas (des) conhecimento das competências para realização do cuidado ginecológico; (in) satisfação profissional e o desenvolvimento de competências para o cuidado ginecológico; protagonismo e autonomia da enfermeira para realizar o cuidado ginecológico com competência na consulta de enfermagem; importância da busca pelo conhecimento para o cuidar com competência. Conclusão: o estudo possibilitou descrever os cuidados ginecológicos de enfermagem, identificar as barreiras e fragilidades no processo de cuidado ginecológico, comentar e discutir a necessidade constante da busca do conhecimento para manutenção e aquisição da competência.

Objetivo: describir cuidados ginecológicos de enfermería realizados con competencia en la Atención Primaria de Salud bajo la óptica de las enfermeras. Método: investigación convergente asistencial realizada con 31 enfermeras en el sur de Brasil, por medio de talleres temáticos, en el período de agosto a septiembre de 2020. Los datos fueron analizados mediante la propuesta de Creswell, apoyado por el software IRAMUTEQ®. Resultados: emergieron cuatro categorías, siendo ellas (des) conocimiento de las competencias para realización del cuidado ginecológico; (in) satisfacción profesional y el desarrollo de competencias para el cuidado ginecológico; protagonismo y autonomía de la enfermera para realizar el cuidado ginecológico con competencia en la consulta de enfermería; importancia de la búsqueda del conocimiento para el cuidado con competencia. Consideraciones finales: el estudio permitió describir los cuidados ginecológicos de enfermería, identificar las barreras y fragilidades en el proceso de cuidado ginecológico, comentar y discutir la necesidad constante de la búsqueda del conocimiento para el mantenimiento y adquisición de la competencia.

Objective: to describe gynecological nursing care performed competently in Primary Health Care from the perspective of nurses. Method: convergent care research conducted with 31 nurses in southern Brazil, through thematic workshops, from August to September 2020. The data were analyzed by Creswell's proposal, supported by IRAMUTEQ®. Results: four categories emerged, being (lack of)knowledge of the competencies for performing gynecological care; professional (dis)satisfaction and the development of competencies for gynecological care; protagonism and autonomy of the nurse to perform gynecological care competently in nursing consultation; importance of the search for knowledge to care competently. Final considerations: the study allowed the description of gynecological nursing care, identification of barriers and weaknesses in the process of gynecological care, commentary and discussion of the constant need to seek knowledge for maintenance and acquisition of competence.

Surgeon Attitudes Toward Concurrent Urogynecologic and Gynecologic Oncology Procedures: A Cross-sectional Survey.

IMPORTANCE: There is increasing overlap in the urogynecologic and gynecologic oncologic patient populations. To improve patient advocacy and access to care, a collaborative surgical approach may benefit this cohort. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate surgeon attitudes toward performing concurrent urogynecologic and gynecologic oncology procedures. We hypothesized that most surgeons are amenable to collaboration. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire of members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the American Urogynecologic Society from August to November 2020. A 23-item online survey was created to assess surgeon demographics, practice and screening patterns, and attitudes toward surgical collaboration. We also evaluated obstacles to performing joint procedures and assessed whether attitudes could be influenced by new information. RESULTS: A total of 338 surveys were included in the analysis, including 158 urogynecologists and 226 gynecologic oncologists (GOs). Most surgeons (77.8%) will recommend concurrent procedures with another specialty, and 97.8% of urogynecologists and 95.7% of oncologists currently perform joint surgical procedures. Male surgeons, regardless of specialty, were more likely to recommend staged procedures (44% vs 31%, P < 0.001), as were GOs (28% vs 10.1%, P < 0.001). However, oncologists were more likely than urogynecologists to initiate referrals for surgical collaboration (33.3% vs 14.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A total of 22.2% of urogynecologists and oncologists prefer staging surgical procedures. The most common barrier to a combined procedure was logistics. Urogynecologists were more concerned about the effects of cancer treatments on healing, the use of mesh implants, and financial reimbursements as compared with GOs. Treatment delay was a significantly greater concern for the oncologists.

Recommendations of procedures to follow in the case of ovarian lesions in girls.

This study presents current recommendations of the Polish Association of Pediatric Surgeons (PTChD) regarding diagnostics and treatment of ovarian lesions in girls. They are based on many years of the authors' clinical experience as well as a review of international literature and include practical clinical guidelines. The recommendations were formulated in cooperation with the Polish Association of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (PTOHD), Polish Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Section of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PTG) and Polish Pediatric Section of the Polish Society of Radiology (PLTR). Only better understanding of prepubertal ovarian biology and natural history of its pathology may help to introduce efficient and safe diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for girls. The prepared document has been supplemented with treatment algorithms.

[CNGOF clinical practice guidelines: Evaluation one year after revision of the methodology]. / Recommandations pour la pratique clinique du CNGOF : évaluation un an après révision de la méthodologie.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the revision of methodology of the clinical practice guidelines (CPG) of the French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF). METHOD: Three CPGs were organized in 2020 on the topics of severe preeclampsia, menorrhagia, and prophylactic surgery according to AGREE II (Apraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation). Questions were presented in PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and the grading of scientific evidence was based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation) method. RESULTS: All three CPGs groups adhered to this new methodology. However, the presentation of the arguments, the formulation of the recommendations and the development of the GRADE tables were heterogeneous from one group to another. A homogenization of the presentation is proposed, as well as a guide to the critical analysis of the literature to help the experts to rate the evidence. CONCLUSION: Adherence to these quality criteria should make it easier to apply the recommendations at the national level and improve international recognition of the work done by the CNGOF.

Knowledge and awareness of human papillomavirus infection and human papillomavirus vaccine among Kazakhstani women attending gynecological clinics.

Cervical cancer remains one of the top causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality all over the world. Currently, however, there are no published studies to assess the knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer in Kazakhstan. This study aimed to assess the awareness of HPV, the knowledge of HPV as a cause of cervical cancer, and the awareness of HPV vaccination among Kazakhstani women visiting gynecological clinics across the country. In addition, the study aimed to identify the factors associated with the awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine and knowledge of HPV as a major cause of cervical cancer. This was a cross-sectional survey-based study with 2,272 women aged between 18-70 years attending gynecological clinics, who were administered paper-based questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive statistics consisting of mean values, standard deviations, and frequencies, where applicable. Differences in categorical variables between groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test with a significance value of <0.005. Crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% corresponding confidence intervals were calculated in regression analysis using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. The mean age of participants was 36.33±10.09 years. More than half (53%) of the participants had been screened for cervical cancer. Among those who were aware of HPV, 46% knew that HPV causes cervical cancer and 52% were aware of the HPV vaccine. The key factors related to outcome variables were age, ethnicity, education, family, number of deliveries, and menarche. From a subgroup analysis, results from the HPV test and Pap smear test were factors related to dependent variables such as awareness of HPV and awareness of HPV vaccination.

Analysis of Effect on Infection Factors and Nursing Care of Postoperative Incision in Gynecological Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: To study the effect on infection factors and nursing care of postoperative incision in gynecological cancer patients. METHOD: 72 patients with gynecological malignant tumors who came to the hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into the study group and control group by cluster random sampling. The control group was given routine nursing mode, including matters needing attention in surgery, health education, prevention of complications, and dietary guidance. The study group implemented the high-quality nursing mode on the basis of the control group. Postoperative situation, incision infection rate, and quality of life were observed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The control group's time to get out of bed, postoperative eating time, postoperative exhaust time, and hospital stay were longer than those of the study group. The comparison of the postoperative related conditions of the two groups showed that P < 0.05, which indicated that the difference was statistically significant. The postoperative incision infection rate in the study group was 2.78%, and in the control group, the postoperative incision infection rate was 19.44%; the postoperative incision infection rate in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The difference was statistically significant, P < 0.05. The factors affecting the quality of life of patients in the study group were lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant, P < 0.05. Time to get out of bed, postoperative eating time, postoperative exhaust time, hospital stay, and quality of life were the main influencing factors of postoperative incision infection in gynecological tumors. CONCLUSION: Time to get out of bed, postoperative eating time, postoperative exhaust time, hospital stay, and quality of life were the main influencing factors of postoperative incision infection in gynecological tumors. High-quality nursing intervention had better clinical nursing effect in preventing postoperative incision infection. It should be widely used in clinical nursing.

Prophylactic procedures associated with gynecological surgery for the management of superficial endometriosis and adhesions. Clinical practice guidelines from the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF)✰.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF), based on the best currently available evidence, for the prophylactic procedures associated with gynecological surgery for benign disease such as superficial endometriosis lesions and adhesions. METHODS: The CNGOF has decided to adopt the AGREE II and GRADE systems for grading scientific evidence. Each recommendation for practice was allocated a grade that reflects the quality of evidence (QE) (clinical practice guidelines). RESULTS: Endometriosis and pelvic pain Superficial endometriosis can be entirely asymptomatic. Surgical treatment of asymptomatic superficial peritoneal endometriosis is not recommended in women of childbearing age for the prevention of pelvic pain, especially in case of proximity to noble organs (e.g., the ureters, rectum and sigmoid, and ovaries in nulligravida) as there is no evidence that the disease will progress to become symptomatic (low level of evidence). In case of accidental discovery of superficial endometriosis in women of childbearing age with pelvic pain, it is recommended that the lesions are excised, if surgically accessible. Removal of superficial endometriosis lesions in patients with painful symptoms improves quality of life and pain (low level of evidence). Endometriosis and infertility It appears that women with isolated superficial endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy with histological confirmation have a significantly higher incidence of primary infertility than patients without endometriosis. However, there is no data regarding the impact of treatment of these lesions on the fertility in these women or on the natural course of their disease (low level of evidence). It is recommended that excision is performed rather than monopolar coagulation of superficial endometriosis lesions in infertile women, as this results in a higher spontaneous pregnancy rate (low level of evidence). Adhesions and pelvic pain There is limited data in the literature regarding the benefit of performing systematic adhesiolysis during laparoscopy to prevent pelvic pain when incidental pelvic adhesions are discovered. For patients with pelvic pain, it is probably better not to perform adhesiolysis to prevent pelvic pain, although this can be decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the extent of the adhesions, the topography, and the type of surgery considered (low level of evidence). For asymptomatic patients, it is recommended not to perform adhesiolysis to prevent pelvic pain due to the lack of clear efficacy both short- or long-term and due to the increased risk of surgical injuries (low level of evidence). Adhesions and infertility There is limited data in the literature regarding the potential benefit of performing systematic adhesiolysis when there is an incidental discovery of pelvic adhesions during laparoscopy to prevent infertility. For infertile women, in the event of fortuitous discovery of adhesions at laparoscopy, it is probably better not to perform complex adhesiolysis. Only adhesiolysis of tubo-ovarian adhesions that are minimal or slight in terms of their extension and/or their nature may be useful to improve the chances of spontaneous pregnancy. However, it remains to be decided on a case-by-case basis depending on other potential causes of infertility (low level of evidence). For women without known infertility issues, it is probably better not to perform systematic adhesiolysis in order to improve their pregnancy chances, considering the balance between the unknown benefit and the risks of complications inherent to surgery (low level of evidence). CONCLUSION: Further investigations are needed in order to increase the quality of management regarding associated interventions such as the treatment of superficial endometriosis or adhesions performed during a gynecologic surgical procedure and, thereby, bolster these recommendations.

Telemedicine in Urogynecology.

Telemedicine, which provides safe, equitable, patient-centered care, has gained significant momentum in recent years. Success using telemedicine has been seen across diverse groups of patients for a variety of diagnoses, including older adults and gynecology patients. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, federal and local governments have issued provisions to improve reimbursement and accessibility to telemedicine. In urogynecology, virtual care is growing in popularity, along with a growing body of literature in support of this method of providing care. Providers should use clinical judgment and existing data to guide them on which clinical conditions are appropriate for virtual care.

In which cases should endometrial destruction be performed during an operative hysteroscopy? Clinical practice guidelines from the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF).

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (CNGOF), based on the best evidence available, concerning the impact of endometrial destruction on bleeding and endometrial cancer risk reduction in patients candidates for operative hysteroscopy. METHODS: Recommendations were made according to AGREE II and the GRADE® (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) systems to determine separately the quality of evidence (QE) and in the level of recommendation. RESULTS: In a retrospective study comparing the incidence of endometrial cancer in 4776 patients with menorrhagia treated with endometrial destruction vs 229 945 patients with a medical treatment. There was a non-significant reduced risk of developing endometrial cancer (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.15-1.40; p = .17). In premenopausal women, five studies compared the incidence of endometrial cancer in patients treated with endometrial ablation/destruction (EA/D) to the incidence of endometrial cancer in a comparable population of women from national registers, all of which show reduced risk of endometrial cancer after endometrectomy. In case of menopausal metrorrhagia, the prevalence of endometrial cancer is 9%, by analogy with the results found in premenopausal patients, the combination of endometrial ablation during operative hysteroscopy seems justified. In a retrospective cohort of 177 non-menopausal patients treated with myomectomy for metrorrhagia and/or menorrhagia, a significantly better control of bleeding at 12 months was found when myomectomy was combined with endometrectomy using roller-ball (OR: 0.18 [95% Cl 0.05-0.63]; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding, when an operative hysteroscopy is performed, it is recommended to propose an endometrial ablation/destruction in order to prevent the risk of endometrial cancer, (QE3) and to prevent recurrence of bleeding (QE2). In menopausal women, it is probably recommended to also perform an endometrial ablation/destruction in case of operative hysteroscopy in order to prevent the risk of endometrial cancer (QE1).

Patient experience of telephone consultations in gynaecology: a service evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate patient perspective of telephone consultations (TCs) in gynaecology and identify which patients benefit most from a telemedicine system. DESIGN: Service evaluation. SETTING: Gynaecology outpatient services at a tertiary referral hospital. POPULATION: Patients who received a TC during May and June 2020. METHODS: Postal questionnaire combining three validated tools: QQ-10, Patient Enablement Index (PEI) and National Health Service Friends and Family Test (NHS-FFT). Quantitative data and free text responses were analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses to QQ-10, PEI and NHS-FFT. RESULTS: In total, 1307 patients were contacted and 504 patients responded (39%). Most (89%) described their experience as 'Very good' or 'Good' (NHS-FFT). Positive themes from responses included 'convenience', 'effectiveness' and 'equivalent care'. QQ-10 responses demonstrated a high Value score of 79 (0-100) and a low Burden score of 15. PEI scores suggested that most patients felt better or much better able to understand and cope with their condition following TC. The majority of patients (77%) would 'Strongly agree' or 'Mostly agree' to a repeat TC. Regarding patient outcomes, 21% were discharged and 71% required follow up. Menopause, fertility and endometriosis follow-up clinic patients benefited most from TC. Gynaecology-oncology patients found TC least acceptable. CONCLUSION: We report a large questionnaire survey of patient experience of TC in gynaecology. Telemedicine is convenient, acceptable and effective for conducting care in selected groups. TC can support patients in communicating intimate symptoms. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Telephone consultations are a convenient, acceptable and effective medium for conducting patient care in gynaecology.