Healthcare experiences, pain, and quality of life of patients attending an integrated pelvic pain clinic in the United States

Background: Individuals living with chronic genitopelvic pain and dysesthesia face many barriers to accessing validating and effective treatment. Literature has begun to highlight factors such as effective healthcare provider communication as underpinnings of effective care. Aim: The present study used a mixed-methods, cross-sectional approach to examine healthcare experiences reported by individuals with various genitopelvic pain conditions who were patients at a US-based integrated pelvic pain clinic. The clinic features a personalized, trauma-informed, evidence-based, neuroscience driven biopsychosocial approach to patient care. Methods: A sample of 243 patients responded to an anonymous online survey. Responses were examined thematically alongside correlation and regression analyses. Outcomes: Self-reported ratings of pain intensity, change in pain, and quality of life after intervention were examined. Results: Thematic analyses indicated two general patterns: (1) aspects of prior care which patients did not find to be supportive, and (2) aspects of current care which were supportive and efficacious. Quantitative findings indicated that both pre-treatment pain intensity and change in pain significantly predicted current pain intensity, with change in pain predicting current quality of life. Clinical implications: Findings highlighted areas of success embodied by the clinic’s comprehensive approach, including personalized patient-centered care, strong doctor-patient relationship (including trust), and patient education. Strengths and limitations: Limitations included lack of validated measures for pain and psychosocial variables, and potential for biased responding to some survey items. Conclusion: Findings of the present study support current recommendations of comprehensive, individualized, biopsychosocial care for patients with genitopelvic pain.