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GPs in the know on Endo wanted

Photo courtesy of Endometriosis Australia

WANTED: Local doctors with experience in two debilitating conditions impacting one in nine Australian women.

The call comes as part of a James Cook University (JCU) joint psychology and nursing study, where researchers are examining the challenges faced by women in gaining a diagnosis of endometriosis or adenomyosis.

The study aims to highlight the challenges faced by women living in North and Far North Queensland in being able to obtain a diagnosis of these conditions, in the hopes of improving patient care and reducing the time it takes to receive a diagnosis. 

Principal Investigator and JCU Head of Psychology Lauren Shaw said there had already been an overwhelming response from women who were interested in participating, but researchers were keen to recruit about 15 General Practitioners (GPs) from the region to understand the barriers they face in being able to diagnose women suffering from either or both conditions. 

“It’s not particularly well understood what challenges GPs are facing in this area, which is why we want to talk to them,” Dr Shaw said.

“For women themselves, anecdotally, we’ve heard that they face financial barriers in being able to get tested for endometriosis and adenomyosis. 

“There’s also a perceived sense of stigma around women’s pain, depending on what symptoms they present with when they go to a medical practitioner. Sometimes that pain is dismissed as a ‘normal’ part of being a woman and it’s not responded to the same. 

“But we’re interested in hearing the other side of the story too from GPs so we can better understand both perspectives.”  

Dr Shaw said the study will form the foundation of a broader 18-month research project aiming to build a knowledge base with health and government services in the region to improve the approach to diagnosing endometriosis and adenomyosis.

“There’s a limited amount of research that looks at this issue in a regional context, so given our place in the world, we see that as a stepping stone to being able to do more research with interested industry partners,” she said.

  • Researchers will conduct a 30 to 40 minute interview over Microsoft Teams with each study participant.
  • GPs based in North or Far North Queensland who are interested in participating can email Dr Lauren Shaw at lauren.shaw1@jcu.edu.au.  
Dr. Lauren Shaw

What is endometriosis or adenomyosis?

  • Chronic and painful gynaecological conditions, known to have a significant impact on quality of life.
  • At least one in nine Australian girls and women are diagnosed with endometriosis.
  • Endometriosis occurs when some of the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.
  • Adenomyosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
  • There were 40,500 endometriosis-related hospitalisations in 2021–22 and endometriosis was the 20th most common reason for hospitalisation among those aged 15–44.*
  • The rate of hospitalisations for the condition has doubled among women aged 20 to 24 over the past decade.*
  • The estimated cost of endometriosis was $30,900 per person with the condition in 2017. This consisted of:
  • $25,800 for productivity costs
  • $3,900 for total health costs
  • $1,100 for carer costs.*

* Information from ENDOMETRIOSIS in AUSTRALIA: AIHW Report 2023
Endometriosis in Australia is now estimated to be 1 in 7 females and those assigned female at birth – Endometriosis Australia

According to Western Sydney University research with Endometriosis Australia,

  • one in six people with endometriosis will lose their employment due to managing the disease.
  • one in three will be overlooked for a promotion.
  • 70% have to take unpaid time off work to manage symptoms.
  • 50% said lack of workplace flexibility was a significant problem.
  • 79% reported that work-from-home protocols made managing their symptoms easier.
  • 60% said they will be more productively working from home.
  • 90% thought flexibility in hours and working from home could improve their management of endo in the workplace.

 

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