Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Nov 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of a Randomized Trial of a Web-Based Intervention on Patient-Provider Communication About Breast Density.
Background: Breast density increases breast cancer risk and decreases mammographic detection. We evaluated a personalized web-based intervention designed to improve breast cancer risk communication between women and their providers. Materials and Methods: This was a secondary outcome analysis of an online randomized trial. ⋯ Conclusions: Despite providing personalized density and risk information, the intervention did not promote density discussions between women and their providers who had not had them previously. This intervention is unlikely to be used clinically to motivate density conversations in women who have not had them before. Clinical trial registration number NCT03029286.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialResearch Conducted in Women Was Deemed More Impactful but Less Publishable than the Same Research Conducted in Men.
Background: Female scientists, who are more likely than their male counterparts to study women and report findings by sex/gender, fare worse in the article peer review process. It is unknown whether the gender of research participants influences the recommendation to publish an article describing the study. Materials and Methods: Reviewers were randomly assigned to evaluate one of three versions of an article abstract describing a clinical study conducted in men, women, or individuals. ⋯ Conclusions: These results are consistent with abundant data from multiple sources showing a lower societal value placed on women than men. Because female investigators are more likely than male investigators to study women, our findings suggest a previously unrecognized bias that could contribute to gender asymmetries in the publication outcomes of peer review. This pro-male publication bias could be an additional barrier to leadership attainment for women in academic medicine and the advancement of women's health.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialFamily Planning Providers' Assessment of Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use.
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use are intersecting health problems that adversely impact sexual and reproductive health outcomes for women seeking care at family planning (FP) clinics. We aimed to characterize whether and how FP clinic providers (1) assessed for IPV and substance use and (2) combined IPV and substance use assessments. Methods: Providers and patients (female, 18-29 years old, English speaking) at four FP clinics participating in a larger randomized controlled trial on provider communication skills were eligible. ⋯ Conclusion: This study provides insight on how FP clinicians, as key providers for millions of women in the United States, assess patients for IPV and substance use. Results show providers' willingness to adopt IPV universal education messaging and demonstrate room for improvement in substance use assessments and integrated discussions of IPV and substance use. Trial Registration Number: NCT01459458.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe Effect of Follow-Up Contact on Recovery After Benign Hysterectomy: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Four-Arm, Controlled Multicenter Trial.
Background: The objective of this trial was to analyze the effect of follow-up programs using standard follow-up protocol and structured coaching on recovery after hysterectomy in an enhanced recovery after surgery setting. Materials and Methods: A randomized, four-armed, single-blinded, controlled multicenter trial comprising 487 women was conducted at five hospitals in the southeast region of Sweden. The women were allocated (1:1:1:1) to Group A: no planned follow-up contact; Group B: a single, planned, structured, broadly kept, follow-up telephone contact with the research nurse the day after discharge; Group C: planned, structured, broadly kept follow-up telephone contact with the research nurse the day after discharge and then once weekly for 6 weeks; and Group D: as Group C, but with planned, structured, coaching telephone contact. ⋯ The occurrence of unplanned telephone contact was significantly lower (by nearly 30%) in the women who had structured coaching. Conclusion: Follow-up contact, including coaching, did not seem to expedite the postoperative recovery in HRQoL or reduce the sick leave after hysterectomy, but the coaching seemed to reduce unplanned telephone contact with the health care services. ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT01526668).
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Journal of women's health · Apr 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Patient Experience of Premenopausal Women Treated with Bremelanotide for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: RECONNECT Exit Study Results.
Background: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) has a significant negative impact on women's overall health and relationships with their partners. Primary analyses from the RECONNECT clinical trials demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in sexual desire and related distress with bremelanotide relative to placebo in premenopausal women with HSDD. Exit surveys and patient interviews were conducted to evaluate the impact of HSDD and bremelanotide treatment from the patient's perspective. Materials and Methods: Upon completion of the double-blind study but before participation in the open-label extension, up to 250 participants were recruited to complete the quantitative exit survey (17 questions). ⋯ Participants who received bremelanotide described increased feelings of sexual desire, physical arousal, and improvements in overall quality of their sexual activities in their partner relationship. In comparison, women taking placebo reported benefits that did not include the physiological responses described by women receiving bremelanotide, such as positive experiences of seeking HSDD treatment and improved communication with their partner. Conclusions: Exit surveys and patient interviews support the primary findings from RECONNECT and provide quantitative and qualitative assessments of the impact of HSDD on patients' quality of life and the patients' perspectives on the impact of bremelanotide. Clinical trial numbers NCT02333071, NCT02338960.