Patient goals in urogynecology

Urogynecological problems are important causes of morbidity in women. However, they are largely quality-of-life issues and very rarely lead to life-threatening complications. Management of these conditions range from conservative measures and medical therapy to surgical intervention. It remains challenging to compare results from interventions as there is no standard definition of ‘cure’. Traditionally, studies on interventions have focused on objective outcome measures. More recently, patient expectations of therapy have gained recognition as an outcome assessment tool, especially when therapy is being offered simply to improve quality of life. As patients’ views have been recognized as increasingly important, an alternative way of examining patient expectations of treatment using patient-orientated goals has evolved. The aim of this review article is to consider the development and current usage of patient goals as an outcome assessment tool in urogynecology, with a focus on urogenital prolapse, stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder syndrome.