The care staff s treatment of women with endometriosis : A literature study from a patient perspective

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease whose prevalence is about ten percent of all women. The disease can take long time to be diagnosed and can cause infertility. The disease can negatively affect the quality of life. There is no curative treatment, but the pathological process can be alleviated. The care-staff often meet these women in different care institutions and therefore the care is important. Aim: The aim of this literature study was to describe women with endometriosis experiences of healthcare professionals’ approach in encounters with them. Method: Nine scientific articles with a qualitative approach analyzed thematically. Results: The analysis resulted in two themes. "The feeling of powerlessness" highlights the women's negative experience of the treatment from the care-staff that led to destructive feelings shaped by ignorance, lack of communication and normalization. The second theme, "Sense of faith in the future" clarifies the women's positive feelings because of constructive treatment. The women felt confirmed and could handle their situation better through empowerment. Conclusion: Women express that information from the health service is an important supporting factor, despite this they experience insufficient knowledge from care-staff. Through increased knowledge about endometriosis in care-staff, the understanding for what these women go through increases.