Patient satisfaction and acceptability: a journey through an ambulatory gynaecology clinic in the West of Ireland

Abstract

Ambulatory Gynaecology allows a “see-and-treat” approach to managing gynaecological conditions, providing a more streamlined, integrated care pathway than the traditional gynaecology clinic and inpatient care model. This study was designed to assess patient satisfaction and acceptability of Ambulatory Gynaecology services in Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, Ireland. It also provided for feedback from patients as to how the service might be improved. Eighty questionnaires were appropriately completed. Outcomes revealed positive responses in 84% with respect to their experience before attending the clinic, 93% relating to the Ambulatory Gynaecology clinic environment, 96% for communication within the service, 91% for their experience during the procedure and 88% for aftercare information. This study concludes that an ambulatory approach to managing a range of gynaecology referrals is a highly acceptable approach in an Irish gynaecological population. Valuable feedback was gained from the study, which will allow us to further enhance the service for our patients.