Relationships
Building a sense of trust and connection with primary health care
providers made a significant difference to the way AUB was managed, and
women’s experiences with seeking treatment. For example, feeling
comfortable to explain all symptoms, feeling listened too, and
discussing a treatment plan together had a positive impact on
participants.
“being able to have that rapport with the doctor does make a
difference and then they can talk to you and explain stuff rather than
just feeling unsure that you were checked out properly” Participant
14.
Most women commented on the gender of their GP, and those who did not
explicitly state that they would have preferred to see a female GP, when
women talked of negative experience they mentioned that the GP was male.
Many women disclosed that they needed to see a female doctor as they
felt more comfortable and listened to.
“I trust her she can do the gynae in the office, so she’s done
all my cervical smears and other tasks-Yeah, she knows my history, my
squeamishness.” Participant 4.
Some felt that they would have received a better explanation if the GP
was a woman, or a more experienced GP. A number of women described
seeking care from multiple doctors, in a helpless attempt to resolve
their chronic and debilitating condition (Table 2, quote 6). In some
cases, women would see the next available GP, which added an element of
chance to whether women would could choose a female GP. It was therefore
only by chance that women felt comfortable enough to share their
experiences of AUB:
“So I call the doctor, lucky that’s the female doctor so I can
((open up)) to talk and then to examine me”. Participant 2.
Low expectations
Women experienced low expectations on two levels, one of the care that
they were going receive and of themselves.