Aims The research aims to assess the relationship between treatments for various uro-gynaecological problems (pelvic floor dysfunction, and cancer) and both: (i) objective physical outcomes, and (ii) self reported outcomes in terms of general health, and quality of life, at a number of time points post treatment (4 week, 3months, 1year, and yearly, thereafter).
In addition, the research aims to assess the relationship between psychological factors (depression, anxiety, and values) prior to treatment, and treatment outcomes (specific outcome, self reported general health, and quality of life), at time points post treatment (4 week, 3months, 1year, and yearly, thereafter), for patients with various gynaecological problems (pelvic floor dysfunction, and cancers).
Participants and Recruitment Consecutive patients referred for treatments (physiotherapy, surgery) for uro-gynaecological problems (pelvic floor dysfunction, cancer) will be asked if they would like to participate in this evaluative study. The initial approach will be made through a letter sent out with their appointment details, which will give information about the study. This will make clear that their treatment will not depend on their participation in the study. The patients also will be given the chance to discuss their participation with the specialist nurse at the time of their pre-treatment assessment, and will give their consent (by completing and signing a Consent Form) on the day of their taking part in the research study, after they have had time to think about their participation and ask any questions that they may have.
Design and Methodology Following their consent, at the initial consultation prior to treatment (about 4 weeks prior to treatment), baseline measures will be taken from the patients. These measures will be the routinely collected physical data, obtained by the medical staff, plus a series of patient-reported measures, concerned with the patients' general health (GHQ28), depression and anxiety (HADS), values (PVQII), and quality of life (EQ5D, WHOQoL-BREF, and QLQC30). These questionnaires should take about 30 minutes to complete, in total. The patients will then undergo their treatment (the type of treatment decided upon forms no part of this study). About four weeks post-treatment, the patients will receive their usual physical screening by medical staff, and will, again, complete the same forms as described above. The patients will then be asked if they would complete the same questionnaires at a series of subsequent time points (approximately after 3 months post treatment, and then yearly for five years). The changes across the objectively- and subjectively-reported health status, and in the patient-reported quality of life, and psychological functioning will be measured. Additionally, the relationship between the baseline patient-reported psychological states (depression and anxiety) and values, and the objective (physical measures), and subjectively-reported (general health and quality of life) outcomes, will be assessed.
