What information do healthcare professionals need to inform premenopausal women about risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy?

Hickey M1, Rio I2, Trainer A3, Marino JL1, Wrede CD4, Peate M1.

Author information

1: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
2: General Practice Liaison Unit, The Royal Women's Hospital and North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
3: Parkville Familial Cancer Clinic, Peter MacCallum and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
4: The Royal Women's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to identify the unmet information needs of healthcare professionals managing risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) in premenopausal women.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals managing high-risk women in Victoria, Australia. Questions included roles and responsibilities around RRBSO, perceived barriers to uptake of RRBSO, and unmet information needs.

RESULTS:

One hundred eighteen healthcare professionals across 10 different disciplines and specialties were approached to participate, of whom 47 completed the survey. Most respondents were genetic counselors (47%) or nurses (19%) and all worked in the public health system. Almost all (81%) provided information about RRBSO, but there was considerable uncertainty about who was responsible for making decisions with high-risk women about RRBSO. Most (85%) were "quite a bit" or "extremely" confident about informing high-risk women about ovarian cancer risk reduction from RRBSO and the surgical procedure (47%), but only one-third were "quite a bit" or "extremely" confident about discussing (36%) or managing (31%) surgical menopause. Furthermore, surgical menopause was considered the main barrier (88%, "quite a bit" or "extremely") to RRBSO. Most healthcare professionals (78%) wanted more information and resources about surgical menopause for high-risk women.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is uncertainty around the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals managing high-risk women around RRBSO. Surgical menopause is perceived as a major barrier to RRBSO and healthcare professionals lack confidence in managing this outcome. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A477.