Information needs of women who have undergone hysterectomy

Abstract

Studies identified that patients were not satisfied with the quality and quantity of information that they received while in hospital. The aim of this descriptive study was to identify what information Maltese women feel it is important to know about their hysterectomy. Furthermore this study aimed to determine if Maltese women are being given information about hysterectomy while in hospital, and to discover the source from whom and from where women retrieved the information. A purposive sample of 10 women who had undergone hysterectomy within the previous three days was interviewed using a structured interview schedule. The closed-ended questions were analysed using basic descriptive statistics. Content analysis was used to analyse the 2 open-ended questions. The study revealed that the majority of Maltese women are not being given information about the physical conditions, feelings of femininity, psychological aspects, sexuality and the process of recovery of hysterectomy during their stay in hospital. Moreover although all 10 women obtained information about their hysterectomy from different sources, these women declared that the content was brief and insufficient, and that it did not adequately prepare them for their hysterectomy. Conclusions drawn from this study suggest that there is an urgent need for giving information on all aspects of hysterectomy to Maltese women before they enter hospital for the operation. It is suggested that more research concerning women's experiences of hysterectomy is needed in Malta, and an information booklet on all aspects of hysterectomy will be of indispensable help for the women concerned. Moreover, training in the skills of giving information and counselling should be part of basic and ongoing education especially for nurses working in the gynaecology ward.