The Perception of the Quality of Professional Healthcare Assistance for the Management of Endometriosis: Findings from a National Survey in Italy

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Oct 26;20(21):6978. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20216978.

Abstract

(1) Background: endometriosis is included in the list of chronic and disabling pathologies. This study aimed to examine patients' points of view about the quality of care for endometriosis during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) Methods: we conducted a survey on knowledge about endometriosis, management of endometriosis, perceived mental and physical well-being, and perceived changes in the quality of care during the pandemic; (3) Results: out of 1065 participants, 875 were included in the analysis, with an average age of 34. Overall, patients had positive perceptions of care accessibility and cleanliness (95%), but less satisfaction with visit hours (86%). Those with better physical and psychological health were more satisfied with service hours, while those treated at specialised centres were more content with cleanliness. Satisfaction with clarity was linked to specialist treatment, and perceived availability to listen correlated with age, complications, and overall health status; (4) Conclusions: patients' perspectives are crucial for patient education and advocate for specialised interdisciplinary networks to support endometriosis management and patients' well-being. These findings highlight the importance of considering patient viewpoints, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on healthcare systems and suggest a need for further research from the patient's perspective.

Keywords: endometriosis; patient satisfaction; patient’s healthcare quality perception; quality of care (QoC) satisfaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Endometriosis* / epidemiology
  • Endometriosis* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Perception

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a research grant from the Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences (FFORIC23.09).