Objective
To evaluate barriers to care for minority women with pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) through qualitative analysis of focus groups focused on awareness, patient-provider relationships, and health-related social needs.
Methods
Four semi-structured focus groups involving Hispanic or African American women with diagnosed PFDs recruited from the urogynecology clinic were conducted. Two focus groups were conducted in Spanish for Hispanic Spanish-speaking women (HS) (n = 7), one for Hispanic English-speaking (n = 2), and one for African American English-speaking (n = 4) women in English. Women were asked questions regarding their PFDs, care-seeking attitudes, and barriers to receiving treatment. Transcripts of focus groups were recorded and a general inductive approach involving systematic independent analysis of themes with NVivo® was utilized.
Results
Women described that while PFD symptoms significantly impacted their daily lives, they had a general lack of awareness of treatments, uncertainty on where to seek care, challenges with discussing problems with providers, and significant barriers to care related to transportation and childcare.
Conclusion
The barriers to care for minority women seeking treatment for PFDs are complex and encompass patient awareness, provider-relationship related issues, and social determinants of health. The themes demonstrated in this study indicate the need for greater investment in PFD education and access for our minority patients seeking care. By identifying barriers to care through qualitative focus groups, providers can work towards dismantling the obstacles that hinder optimal and equitable care through targeted interventions, such as mobile clinics and multimedia educational materials, reflecting patient concerns.
