Journal of women's health
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Clinical TrialUterine Fibroids in Black Women: A Race-Stratified Subgroup Analysis of Treatment Outcomes After Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation.
Background: The disease and treatment burden of uterine fibroids (UF) in Black women is substantially greater compared with other racial groups, with higher rates of complications and poorer outcomes with both hysterectomy and myomectomy. The inequities in the access Black women have to minimally invasive routes of surgery contribute to their burden of illness. Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LAP-RFA) is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective uterine-sparing treatment option. ⋯ Menstrual blood loss (140.1 mL vs. 127.02 mL; P = 0.44) and mean fibroid volume reduction (47.5 cm3 vs. 36.0 cm3; P = 0.17) were similar between Black and White women at 12 months. Although not statistically significant, the intraoperative total blood loss and uterine blood loss was lower in Black women than White women, despite greater operative time (160 minutes vs. 137 minutes; P = 0.09). Conclusions: These results are promising in providing an alternative uterine-sparing option for Black women and may help to provide a minimally invasive option that can address some of the racial inequities in care for Black women with UF.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Care Seeking for Chronic Vulvar Pain Among a Large, Population-Based Sample of Reproductive-Aged Women.
Background: Chronic vulvar pain is a prevalent but often misdiagnosed and undertreated condition that adversely impacts quality of life. A large proportion of women report not seeking care for chronic vulvar pain, but little is known about the factors that underlie care-seeking decisions. Materials and Methods: We used a large, population-based survey of women aged 18-40 years to assess a history of chronic vulvar burning, pain on contact, or itching that had lasted ≥3 months. ⋯ Less than half of women who characterized their pain as pain on contact had sought medical care. Those who did seek care reported seeing fewer providers than those who experienced burning. Providers may wish to proactively ask patients about pain on contact.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Winners and Losers in Academic Productivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is the Gender Gap Widening for Faculty?
Background: The coronavirus pandemic accelerated academic medicine into the frontline of research and clinical work, leaving some faculty exhausted, and others with unanticipated time off. Women were particularly vulnerable, having increased responsibilities in both academic work and caregiving. Methods: The authors sought to determine faculty's responses to the pandemic, seeking predictors of accelerated versus decelerated academic productivity and work-life balance. ⋯ In a similar model comparing partnered faculty whose self-rated work-life balance increased with partnered faculty whose work-life balance decreased, being in the positive work-life balance group was predicted by increased academic productivity, increased job stress, and having higher job priority than your partner. Conclusions: While the COVID-19 pandemic placed huge stressors on academic medical faculty, pandemic placed huge stressors on academic medical faculty, some experienced gains in productivity and work-life balance, with potential to widen the gender gap. As academic medicine evolves post-COVID, leaders should be aware that productivity and work-life balance predict each other, and that these factors have connections to work location, stress, and relationship dynamics, emphasizing the inseparable connections between work and life success.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Are You Really the Doctor? Physician Experiences with Gendered Microaggressions from Patients.
Background: In contrast to physician implicit bias toward patients, bias and microaggressions from patients toward physicians have received comparatively less attention. Materials and Methods: We captured physician experiences of gendered microaggressions from patients by conducting a mixed-methods survey-based study of physicians at a single academic health care institution in May 2019. A quantitative portion assessed the frequency of gendered microaggressions (microaggression experiences [ME] score) and the association with measures of perceived impacts (job satisfaction, burnout, perceived career impacts, behavioral modifications). ⋯ The frequency of microaggressions did not vary significantly by race; however, qualitative responses described race as a factor. Conclusions: Physicians experience gendered microaggressions from patients, which may influence job satisfaction, burnout, career perceptions, and behavior. Future research may explore the multidirectionality of microaggressions and tools for responding at the individual and institutional level.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Impact of SARS-COV2 Pandemic on Patients with Endometriosis and Their Health Care.
Background: Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disease. The current SARS-COV2 pandemic has had an impact on the management of these patients. Tele-health care has been a relevant tool. ⋯ Conclusions: Patients with endometriosis, and especially patients with "significant" pelvic pain, reported greater concern and the perception of worsening during the SARS-COV2 pandemic. Tele-health is a useful tool in patients with endometriosis, and face-to-face visit should be considered in those reporting "significant" pelvic pain. Clinical Trial Registration Number: HCB 1202011497.