Informational Preferences of Women Seeking Treatment for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Study objective: To establish the informational needs and preferences of women navigating treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.

Setting: Academic institution.

Patients: Participants had a diagnosis of symptomatic uterine fibroids with an active treatment plan.

Interventions: Semistructured video interviews were conducted with female patients undergoing treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids (n = 20). Women were recruited from the outpatient Center for Complex Gynecology in Chicago, IL. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A codebook was developed based on the interview transcripts, and the finalized coding was used to conduct a thematic analysis.

Measurements and main results: Four distinct themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Social supports-including social media-play an important role in informing patients' treatment choices; (2) Patients spend significant energy seeking additional information beyond their obstetrician-gynecologist; (3) Patients prioritize receiving full and complete information from their provider; and (4) Patients experience information-related delays in receiving care.

Conclusion: Patients seeking care for symptomatic uterine fibroids have strong preferences about both the quality and extent of information they receive from their gynecologists. Physicians treating these conditions must adapt to changing informational desires and consider expanding physician engagement with patients' social media needs.

Keywords: Counseling; Leiomyomas; Patient education; Social media.