A qualitative study of people's experiences of urogynaecology health services in the UK

Background Urogynaecology evaluates and treats benign conditions of the female pelvic organs and their supporting structures related to urinary function, including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, bladder pain, overactive bladder and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Urogynaecological conditions can have considerable adverse medical, psychosocial, emotional and quality of life impacts on affected people. Stigma, shame and guilt can be barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare. The Cumberlege report (2020) highlights serious problems in women s care. There is currently very limited qualitative research exploring patient experience of urogynaecology services in the UK.

Aims and objectives Our study aims to understand the experiences of people who have engaged with urogynaecological health services in the UK and identify opportunities to use this learning for improvements.

We will develop an understanding of the perspectives, experiences and different treatment outcomes of a wide range of patients regarding urogynaecology services, encompassing both primary care and specialist services, and develop experience-based resources to meet the needs of patients, the public, service providers and policy makers.

Methods Narrative and semi-structured interviews (by video call or telephone) will be conducted with a diverse sample of up to 80 individuals with experience of urogynaecological health services in the UK, recruited through GPs, clinics, support groups and snowballing.

Our maximum variation sample will include a range of conditions, severities, treatment histories and outcomes, and demographics (age, ethnicities, socioeconomic). Interview transcripts will be analysed thematically to identify the issues that are important to participants. We will produce a Heathtalk.org resource featuring the findings, illustrated with interview extracts.

We will co-produce a short film for service improvement. A final event will present findings to policy makers and other stakeholders.

Timelines for delivery Months 2-9: Interviewing Months 8-15: Data analysis Months 15-16: Co-produce catalyst film for use in service improvement Months 16-18: Prepare Healthtalk.org resource Month 17: Present study findings and catalyst film at final stakeholder event Month 18: Final report, submit papers Months 19-22: Evaluate and publish Healthtalk.org section Anticipated impact and dissemination The study will provide qualitative data on a wide range of patient's experiences of urogynaecological services in the UK.

A final event with policy makers and other stakeholders will ensure that the findings feed into policy and practice.

A considerable strength and added value of this study is that findings will be curated for publication as a new section on the award winning, charity run platform Healthtalk.org.

The experience-based resource will be designed for people with urogynaecological problems, and to better inform healthcare professionals who support and treat them.

The platform hosts over 110 collections, is accessed by 7 million visitors annually, and is used as a learning resource in almost all UK medical schools. We will co-produce a catalyst film based on the interviews which will be distributed for service improvement. Our professional networks, charities and support groups will help to raise awareness of all our study outputs.

We will add to the literature with at least three papers, and findings relevant to healthcare professionals will be presented at relevant conferences.