James Cook University researchers examining the challenges faced by women in gaining a diagnosis for two debilitating conditions are urging GPs to come forward with their own experiences.
The joint psychology and nursing study aims to highlight the challenges faced by women living in North and Far North Queensland in being able to obtain a diagnosis of endometriosis or adenomyosis, in the hopes of improving patient care and reducing the time it takes to receive a diagnosis.
Principal Investigator and JCU Head of Psychology Dr Lauren Shaw said there had already been an overwhelming response from women who were interested in participating, but researchers were keen to recruit about 15 GPs from the region to understand the barriers they face in being able to diagnose women suffering from either or both conditions.
"It's not particularly well understood what challenges GPs are facing in this area, which is why we want to talk to them," Dr Shaw said.
"For women themselves, anecdotally, we've heard that they face financial barriers in being able to get tested for endometriosis and adenomyosis.
"There's also a perceived sense of stigma around women's pain, depending on what symptoms they present with when they go to a medical practitioner. Sometimes that pain is dismissed as a 'normal' part of being a woman and it's not responded to the same.
"But we're interested in hearing the other side of the story too from GPs so we can better understand both perspectives."
The chronic and painful gynaecological conditions are known to have a significant impact on quality of life, with at least one in nine Australian girls and women diagnosed with endometriosis – which occurs when some of the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.
By contrast, adenomyosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
Dr Shaw said the study will form the foundation of a broader 18-month research project aiming to build a knowledge base with health and government services in the region to improve the approach to diagnosing endometriosis and adenomyosis.
"There is a lot of research that exists on the diagnostic experiences of women who have endometriosis, but what that doesn't really tell us about is what it's like to have adenomyosis as well," she said.
"There's a limited amount of research that looks at this issue in a regional context, so given our place in the world, we see that as a stepping stone to being able to do more research with interested industry partners."
The study team involves Dr Shaw, Dr Helena Radke, Dr Marie McAuliffe and Professor Cate Nagle.
Researchers will conduct a 30 to 40 minute interview over Microsoft Teams with each study participant.
GPs based in North or Far North Queensland who are interested in participating can email Dr Lauren Shaw at [email protected].
For more information, head to https://jcu.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UO2is5AM6o4u5o
