Qualitative Descriptive Exploration of Women's Experiences of Outpatient Hysteroscopy in Ireland.

OBJECTIVE

To explore women's experiences of outpatient hysteroscopy (OPH) and identify factors that influenced those experiences.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive.

SETTING

Ambulatory gynecology unit in Ireland.

PARTICIPANTS

Eleven women aged 40 to 49 years who underwent OHP at the research setting.

METHODS

We collected data using semistructured interviews and analyzed the data using a reflexive thematic analysis framework.

RESULTS

We identified three themes: The Experience of Pain, Preparation and the Procedure, and Importance of the Environment. Participants described a spectrum of pain experiences that ranged from mild discomfort to severe pain. They emphasized the importance of preparation for the procedure and the care provided during and after the procedure. Participants also identified environmental factors that enhanced their experience of OPH.

CONCLUSION

Health care practitioners should explicitly discuss the possibility of pain when providing information about OPH to ensure that women can make informed choices. Researchers should further investigate the optimal type and timing of pre-procedure analgesia. Health care practitioners should also recognize the importance of the environment in shaping women's experiences of intrusive and intimate procedures from a holistic perspective. These findings are relevant to all health care practitioners involved in OPH services, particularly nursing staff who provide care to women before, during, and after these procedures.