Patient preferences for disposable and reusable vaginal specula and their willingness to compromise in the era of climate change: A cross‐sectional study

Author:

Ten Buuren Amber A. A.1ORCID,Poolman Tessa B.12,Bongers Marlies Y.34,Bullens Lauren M.5,Van Hanegem Nehalennia1,Klerkx Wenche M.6,Timmermans Anne7,Zuithoff Nicolaas P. A.8,Kwee Anneke19

Affiliation:

1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University Medical Centre Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands

2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Elisabeth‐TweeSteden Hospital Tilburg The Netherlands

3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Máxima Medical Centre Veldhoven The Netherlands

4. Grow Research School of Oncology and Reproduction Maastricht University Maastricht The Netherlands

5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Streekziekenhuis Koningin Beatrix Winterswijk The Netherlands

6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein The Netherlands

7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Amsterdam Medical Centre Amsterdam The Netherlands

8. Department of Data Science and Biostatistics, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands

9. Zorgevaluatie en Gepast Gebruik (ZE&GG) Diemen The Netherlands

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate patient satisfaction on gynaecological examination with metal, plastic and biobased plastic vaginal specula, and to investigate whether patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare system.DesignCross‐sectional study: population‐based survey.SettingGynaecological outpatient clinics in five Dutch hospitals.PopulationPatients during general gynaecology consultation hours.MethodsA survey containing two questions about patient demographics, four about comfort and five about sustainability and healthcare was distributed.Main outcome measuresComfort score (scale 1–10). Secondary outcomes: (1) temperature, size and ease of insertion, (2) willingness to compromise for a more sustainable healthcare system.ResultsIn all, 196 patients completed the survey. Biobased plastic vaginal specula scored significantly higher on comfort than the metal ones (mean 8.03 ± 1.65 versus 7.26 ± 1.51 respectively; P < 0.001). The biobased plastic vaginal speculum is significantly the most comfortable on temperature, whereas the metal speculum is the least comfortable (P < 0.007). Most patients are willing to compromise on comfort or are open to the reuse of disposables to contribute to a more sustainable healthcare. The majority of patients (77%) urge healthcare organisations to combat climate change.ConclusionsThere is a small but statistically significant difference in favour of a biobased plastic speculum regarding comfort score, although it might be questioned whether this is clinically relevant. Furthermore, patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare, which should be a contributing factor in speculum selection.

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Reference12 articles.

1. The BMJ.Full list of authors and signatories to climate emergency editorial September 2021. [Internet] [cited 2021 Oct 13]. Available from:https://www.bmj.com/content/full‐list‐authors‐and‐signatories‐climate‐emergency‐editorial‐september‐2021

2. World Health Organization.COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health: the health argument for climate action. [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Oct 13]. Available from:https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240036727

3. CE Delft.Climate impact of reusable and single‐use specula. Life cycle assessment (LCA) screening for UMC Utrecht. [Internet] [cited 2023 Jul 7]. Available from:https://cedelft.eu/publications/climate‐impact‐of‐reusable‐and‐single‐use‐specula/

4. Patient anxiety during gynecologic examinations. Behavioral indicators;Reddy DM;J Reprod Med,1997

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