Katie Read

Award title:   NIHR SPCR PhD Studentship 

Brief Summary:   Recent surveys in the UK have highlighted women feel they are not listened to, dismissed or their symptoms suggested as exaggerations during primary care consultations about menstrual and gynaecological conditions (e.g., heavy periods, endometriosis, menopause, and menstrual pain). The EMPathicO online intervention (developed by the trainee’s supervisors and colleagues) aims to promote GPs’ communication of clinical empathy and realistic optimism during primary care consultations. The current project aims to add to the existing EMPathicO intervention by developing a module specific to menstrual and gynaecological symptoms/conditions. The research will draw on the person-based approach and involve conducting a systematic review exploring communication during consultations between GPs and patients within this context, analysis of the ongoing EMPathicO randomised control trial, developing and optimising the intervention based on primary qualitative research with GPs and patients and finish with a case study evaluation with five GPs and their patients. It is expected the new module will improve GPs’ communication of clinical empathy and realistic optimism during consultations with patients presenting with menstrual and gynaecological symptoms/conditions.