Translation of Chronic Pelvic Pain Experience into Patient Treatment Preference Profiles with Q-Methodology.

ObjectivesDespite many available treatments for female chronic pelvic pain (FCPP), there is limited patient success, engagement, or compliance with therapy. No current methods allow providers to effectively collect and integrate patient perspectives into treatment choice for female chronic pelvic pain (FCPP). We aimed to leverage former qualitative stakeholder input on FCPP treatment choice, patient advisory group (PAG) input, and Q-methodology to translate patient viewpoints around FCPP treatment into measurable patient viewpoints to guide treatment choice.Study designWe used Q-methodology to translate qualitative data formerly collected from stakeholders in FCPP treatment into measurable patient preference profiles. PAG members interpreted previously collected qualitative data from FCPP stakeholders, and their guidance formulated Q-set statements in English and Spanish. Patients with FCPP performed Q-sort of these statements. PAG input then guided interpretation of factor analyses of Q-sorts to form relevant patient preference profiles for FCPP and provided preliminary mapping to certain treatments that may resonate with patients aligned with each preference profile.ResultsWe engaged 11 PAG members, and 47 patients completed Q-sort. The authors and the PAG analyzed, interpreted, and described five factors (patient preference profiles) to measure FCPP treatment viewpoints. We titled these patient preference profiles as the "Self-empowered Realist," the "Fearless Escalator," the "Careful Scientist," the "Trusting Optimist," and "Eager to Move On," with each patient having a certain alignment with each of these viewpoints. These factors map to possible treatments that align with a patient's viewpoint as they align with one or more of these patient preference profiles. We described the perspectives associated with each patient preference profile to allow for future use of these profiles to inform instruments to measure patient preferences in FCPP treatment navigation.ConclusionsWe translated patient perspectives on FCPP treatment into five measurable, nuanced patient preference profiles. We plan to use these patient preference profiles to guide treatment option counseling for FCPP in future studies.