Social construction of biopsychosocial and medical experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim To explore the perceived biopsychosocial and medical experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, as presented in stories written by women on a social support website. Design Qualitative descriptive using low inference content analysis, guided by the social construction of illness theoretical framework. Methods In July 2018, 95 of 379 website stories were randomly selected. The stories were analysed, ending in September 2018. Results Three major themes aligning with framework constructs were identified: Biopsychosocial struggles and management: “I can't even look in the mirror without wanting to cry,” Sociocultural navigation: “I feel all alone and no one understands me.” and Healthcare encounters: “I don't feel like I’m getting the help I need”. These themes revealed that Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has biological and experiential components, which exist independently of each other and hold social and cultural meanings. Conclusion Care for women with PCOS should be multidisciplinary, multidimensional, and multi‐level to ameliorate biopsychosocial issues. Provider (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) education about PCOS is necessary to enhance timely diagnosis and implement individualized treatment strategies. Non‐advanced practice nurses are in a unique position to have an impact on patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes by providing and reinforcing patient education, coordinating management processes, counselling via telephone or in‐person appointments and facilitating referrals to ancillary providers. Evidence‐based and accessible psychosocial supports and interventions will lead to improved self‐esteem and effective coping skills, and reduced stigma‐related stress. Lastly, policy changes are warranted to address access to care, health insurance inequities and inadequate funding for PCOS‐related research. Impact Increased awareness of PCOS and its biopsychosocial aspects will aid providers with timely diagnosis and meaningful treatment plans. Women with PCOS will gain acknowledgment, acceptance, and insight towards health care and self‐management. 目的 探讨多囊卵巢综合征的女患者在社会支持网站上发表自身经历故事的生物心理社会和医学经历。 设计 采用少量推理内容分析方法的定性描述分析,并以疾病社会建构的理论框架为指导。 方法 2018年7月,在379篇网站文章中随机抽取95篇,然后对这些故事进行分析,研究工作于2018年9月结束。 结果 确定了符合框架结构的三大主题:生物心理社会的斗争和管理:“我一照镜子就忍不住想哭”;社会文化的引导:“我感到孤独,没人理解我”;以及求医过程的遭遇:“我觉得我没有得到我需要的帮助”。这些主题揭示了多囊卵巢综合征具有生物和经验方面的组成部分,彼此独立存在,具有社会和文化意义。 结论 对多囊卵巢综合征女患者的护理应是涉及多学科的、多层面的和多层次的过程,以缓解生物心理社会的问题。为加强多囊卵巢综合征的及时诊断和实施个性化的治疗策略,有必要对多囊卵巢综