DESIGN OF A SURVEY INSTRUMENT TO EVALUATE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER BEHAVIOR IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PCOS IN ADOLESCENTS

Purpose: Develop and refine a survey instrument that evaluates current practice behaviors among pediatric primary care providers (pedPCPs) in the identification, diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents. PedPCPs are the first line for identification and early management of PCOS, and have the opportunity to facilitate appropriate long-term management of this complex conditions by providing adolescents with resources for lifestyle modifications and appropriate specialty referrals. No empirical research in the United States has systematically evaluated pedPCP's role in the diagnosis and management of PCOS in adolescents and associated practice behaviors. Methods: A survey instrument used to measure knowledge gaps in diagnosing and managing PCOS among a community of gynecologist and reproductive endocrinologists1 was adapted to identify knowledge gaps among pedPCPs. The research team, an adolescent medicine physician, psychologist, and family medicine physician assistant, identified key content areas of the survey to relate to a primary care population. Additional questions were developed utilizing a conceptual framework guided by the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior to assess pedPCPs attitudes and beliefs regarding PCOS in their patient population. Cognitive validity interviews were conducted with pedPCPs to refine the survey. The process of cognitive interviewing involves the researcher asking survey respondents to read the survey out loud and share their thoughts about the questions with the researcher. Ensuring that the survey questions are well understood from the provider perspective will help to ensure that meaningful data is generated. 1. Dokras A, Saini S, Gibson-Helm M, Schulkin J, Cooney L, Teede H. Gaps in knowledge among physicians regarding diagnostic criteria and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2017;107(6):1380-1386 e1381. Results: Eight pediatric providers completed cognitive interviews, including 2 specialists (adolescent gynecologist and endocrinologist), 2 primary care physicians (pediatrics and family medicine), 2 physician assistants (both family medicine), and 2 nurse practitioners (pediatrics and family medicine). Participants represented different practice settings (2 urban; 2 suburban; 4 rural). Feedback was used to finalize the adaptation of the survey instrument which includes three main categories: (1) provider and practice characteristics; (2) specific que