Obstetrics-Gynecology Resident Attitudes and Perceptions About Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Targeted Needs Assessment to Aid Curriculum Development

Kathryn Witzeman, Jenifer E. Kopfman
In: Journal of Graduate Medical Education · 2013 · vol. 6(1) , pp. 39–43 · doi:10.4300/jgme-d-13-00053.1 · PMID:24701308 · W1979398232
article OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 5 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

A survey of obstetrics-gynecology residents found they feel overwhelmed by chronic pelvic pain patients, lack time, and desire more education, indicating inadequate preparation for managing these patients.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This targeted needs assessment studied obstetrics-gynecology resident attitudes and self-perceived knowledge regarding chronic pelvic pain, using an initial focus group (n=7) to identify major themes followed by a survey of university- and community-based residents in Colorado (N=57; 72% response). Residents reported consistently feeling overwhelmed by chronic pelvic pain patients and perceiving a lack of time to address their needs, along with low confidence in their own knowledge, desire to learn, and preferred learning via one-on-one clinic time or diagnostic algorithms; theme-related survey scales showed acceptable internal reliability (Cronbach α ≥0.6 for all but some themes). No significant differences were found by training level (PGY-1 to PGY-4) or by university versus community training site. The paper focuses on chronic pelvic pain education rather than any specific etiology, so its relationship to endometriosis and adenomyosis is indirect at the level of pelvic pain management.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) accounts for 10% of gynecologic visits and is a common complaint in university-based and community resident clinics. Resident education about CPP has been inconsistent, and review of the limited literature shows predominantly negative perceptions of patients with CPP. Current literature lacks information regarding obstetrics-gynecology residents' attitudes and acquired knowledge regarding CPP. OBJECTIVE: This targeted needs assessment aims to identify regional obstetrics-gynecology resident attitudes and self-perceived knowledge regarding chronic pelvic pain in order to better address potential educational barriers and look toward placing a greater emphasis on this area in resident training. METHODS: We conducted a focus group of obstetrics-gynecology residents to identify major themes regarding attitudes about CPP. This informed the development of a survey administered to university-based and community-based obstetrics-gynecology residents (N = 57) in the Colorado part of the Western Mountain Region. Cronbach α was calculated to determine reliability for each theme, and descriptive statistics were calculated for each theme. Independent samples t tests assessed differences between training levels and between university and community training sites. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 72% (41 of 57). Residents consistently reported feeling overwhelmed by CPP patients, perceived a lack of time to see these patients, and indicated a desire to learn more in this area, but they varied in chosen learning methods. No significant differences were found between levels of training or training sites. CONCLUSIONS: Most obstetrics-gynecology residents surveyed believe they are inadequately prepared to address the needs of women presenting with CPP.

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chronic_pelvic_pain

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