Are Current Treatment Plans Addressing the Psychological Impact of Symptoms for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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Authors
Nocerino, Demetrius
Issue Date
2008
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study was the collection of eleven participant's accounts of their treatment experience for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and their perception of the physician's attention to their expressed subjective needs. The study provided a qualitative evaluation by content analysis of participants' responses to formalized questionnaires. The purpose of the study was to explore how integrative models of healthcare might improve the overall quality of health services, incorporating client-focused perceptions of concerns, reactions, and personal goals to guide treatment for complex biopsychosocial issues. It was found that the majority of participants believe they would have benefited from additional interpersonal support systems outside their primary care provider. These additional supports include family, internet groups, individual and couples therapy, as well as other women with PCOS. The experience of women with PCOS included patterns of self-criticism, judgment, feelings of alienation, dysphoria, and negative self-concept relating to body image with respect to symptom expression and infertility. Added hardship was reported from women who expressed feeling blame, judgment, dismissal, and misunderstanding from their healthcare providers. Participants uniformly reported that the benefits of diagnosis through medical intervention provided a positive force that allowed for validation, confirmation, and identification of their subjective experience. The findings of this study supported a recommendation that a client-centered and relational aspect of treatment was requested by participants and considered substantial in aiding women faced with multiple health and personal challenges deriving from PCOS. The nature of PCOS as a biological syndrome still requires added attention to interpersonal dynamics, the working alliance, as well as the patient's personal experience with symptoms known for impacting women's self-concept.