Tuesday 3 July 2007
Internet valued for PCOS information
Source: BMC Women’s Health 2007; 7: 9
Evaluating information sources used by women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
MedWire News: Australian researchers have highlighted the importance of the internet for women wishing to find out about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
The University of Adelaide team conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 10 women with PCOS, aged 28 to 38 years, to find out what they wanted to know about their condition.
The women felt it was important that someone recognized that they had a problem. Most were diagnosed by general practitioners, gynecologists or endocrinologists.
The women expected to receive information about their condition through this initial source, but the majority was not satisfied with the information they received.
In contrast, the researchers note: “The internet was the medium of choice for the participants to obtain their information about PCOS.”
They suggest this may be due to frustrations with traditional information sources, privacy, and accessibility, and a sense of needing control over the information received.
Based on their findings, Avery and Braunack-Mayer suggest medical practitioners may need to provide a “sample bag” of information for women with PCOS, followed by a review session.
“The ‘sample bag’ would need to have pamphlets for a quick run down of the condition and terminology, lifestyle information, support group contact information, and a list of reputable web sites,” they say.
Posted: 02 July 2007© 2007 Current Medicine Group Ltd, a part of Springer Science+Business Media
http://www.orgyn.com/en/news/2007/We...92661103935185
Internet valued for PCOS information 
