A structured questionnaire improves preoperative assessment of endometriosis patients: a retrospective analysis and
Andreas Hackethal1, Catharina Luck, Ann-Kathrin von Hobe
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 32, 35385 Giessen, Germany. andreas.hackethal@gyn.med.uni-giessen.de
Purpose:
To determine whether a structured questionnaire can improve preoperative assessment of patients with endometriosis.
Methods:
Hospital records for patients with endometriosis were evaluated retrospectively to determine the completeness of information. A structured electronic questionnaire was developed and used to assess preoperatively patients with suspected or proved endometriosis. Data from both assessments were compared.
Results:
Data analysed retrospectively showed that there were valid answers for 89.2% of questions on a standard patient history template, but information was available for only 46.3% of parameters considered specific to endometriosis. Data from 69 patients investigated by structured electronic questionnaire gave improved rates of 90.3% for standard patient history items and 88.5% for endometriosis-specific parameters. Significant improvement in valid answers was achieved in 66.7%.
Conclusions:
A structured questionnaire improved the documentation of endometriosis-specific parameters. Further studies are needed to ensure that it enhances the effectiveness of preoperative counselling and decisions about surgery.
