Patient satisfaction with management of ectopic pregnancy

This study was designed (1) to identify characteristics of patients and their treatment and aspects of care that may be associated with satisfaction, and (2) to investigate the way these factors contribute to the degree of satisfaction expressed after treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Our ultimate goal in so doing was to determine how to improve ectopic pregnancy management.

We used data from a register of ectopic pregnancy established in an urban area (Communauté Urbaine de Lille) in northern France. Two months after ectopic pregnancy, a self-administered satisfaction questionnaire was completed by 192 women treated between January 1995 and July 1996. We searched which factors were associated with satisfaction by a logistic regression model.

Greater satisfaction was significantly associated with average education. Women were more satisfied when pregnancy was an expected event, and when fallopian tube was unruptured. Patients satisfied with the way they were received, the comfort, the willingness to listen and provide explanations, were more satisfied overall. Physical pain, anxiety for later fertility, and need of psychological support were associated with lesser degrees of satisfaction. When adjusted for these factors, the following factors remained significant: level of education; conditions of conception; pain; reception and willingness to listen.

This study should increase awareness amongst health care professionals of the importance of a compassionate approach when dealing with patients following an ectopic pregnancy, since patients value this aspect of care.