Understanding women’s experiences of electronic interviewing during the clinical episode in urogynaecology: a qualitative study

Questionnaires for assessing health and related quality of life are increasingly advocated but little is known about women’s views on them. The aim of the study was to understand women’s experiences of using an electronic personal assessment questionnaire for pelvic floor disorders (ePAQ-PF) during the clinical episode.

A qualitative study was performed in a tertiary referral centre for urogynaecology. Women who completed the electronic questionnaire (ePAQ-PF) before and after intervention for pelvic floor disorders were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 20 women and the transcripts were analysed using a thematic approach to identify themes and categories. The main outcome measures were: (1) women’s feelings about their experience of using the questionnaire and the impact it had on their clinical episode, (2) exploration of ways in which the questionnaire influenced communication, (3) influence of the questionnaire on anxiety and expectations relating to clinical care and (4) women’s feelings about how the use of the questionnaire has affected their health and well-being.

Qualitative analysis identified eight themes relating to the burden and the benefit of questionnaire use with ‘benefit’ being the dominant theme. Women felt that the questionnaire improved their understanding of their condition, improved communication with clinicians and helped prepare them for clinical consultations, generally finding it relevant, easy and enjoyable to complete. Some women commented on the burden of questionnaire use and expressed concerns about its length and that it's closed multiple choice format was restrictive.

The identified principal themes of enhanced communication and preparedness for clinical consultation provided by the questionnaire appeared to support improved focus and insight, which in turn contributed to the setting of realistic expectations.