What's in a name? Choosing a title for a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery clinic: A prospective questionnaire

Abstract

Aims:A new multidisciplinary clinic specializing in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) opened at our institution. We sought to assess patient preference in naming this new center, and how readability and word choice informs these preferences. Methods: We prospectively surveyed patient preference in naming this new center, as well as patient knowledge and societal perception of pelvic floor disorders. This survey was distributed to female patients presenting to general urology and gynecology clinics.Results: There were 300 respondents out of 1000 distributed surveys. Patients preferred titles with accessible readability scores and societally neutral vocabulary. Preferred titles for the clinic were at a 6th-grade readability level. Patients preferred neutral titles that included the word "health" and disliked titles that contained the words "pelvic floor" and "dysfunction." In general, survey participants believed that "incontinence" was associated with negative connotations.Conclusion: Readable and neutral vocabulary in the title of the clinic are key components of patient-preferred titles for an FPMRS clinic and affect patient comfort levels in scheduling an appointment. K E Y W O R D S adult, attitude to health, attitudes, disease management, education, female, health knowledge, health literacy, health surveys, humans, patient acceptance of health care/psychology, patient preference, pelvic floor disorders, perception, practice, quality of life, shame, social stigma, surveys and questionnaires, United States, urinary incontinence/psychology, urinary incontinence/therapy, women's health

Perceptions of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Rehabilitation Care Among Women in Southeast China After Radical Hysterectomy: a Qualitative Study

“…A qualitative study of the psychological consequences of pelvic oor trauma after vaginal birth also reported that the women plunged in negative emotions, such as anxiety, stigma, and failure [24]. Another study showed that feelings of shame about the disease is the main factor why women do not see a doctor [25]. However, the women in the present study a rmed that they were eager to receive professional help.…”

Perceptions of pelvic floor dysfunction and rehabilitation care amongst women in southeast China after radical hysterectomy: a qualitative study

“…This is similar to women who experienced pelvic floor trauma after vaginal birth [ 21 ]. A study showed that feelings of shame about the disease is the main factor why women do not see a doctor [ 22 ]. However, the women in the present study affirmed that they were eager to receive professional help.…”