Guidelines for communication in psychological management of vulvodynia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Creating guidelines for practitioners on communication regarding the management of the psychological and interpersonal impact of vulvodynia: A Delphi study
IRAS ID
260778
Contact name
Danielle De Boos
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition, characterised by pain in the vulva in the absence of an identifiable cause. Vulvodynia is linked to increased symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and poorer sexual functioning.
Research has demonstrated that women with vulvodynia can perceive exchanges with healthcare systems and practitioners in the psychological management of their condition as negative, with many women reporting feeling dismissed or ignored.
Research into communication between women and practitioners regarding vulvodynia highlights a significant struggle for both groups. There are few resources that support practitioners to communicate regarding managing the psychological and interpersonal impact of vulvodynia, and many women can be left feeling as if they have to manage alone. This can result in psychological and emotional distress, making the condition even harder to manage without adequate information, support and guidance.The aim of the research is to use a method of generating consensus (the Delphi method) to produce an original resource of guidelines for practitioners in the management of the psychological and interpersonal impact of vulvodynia. Guidelines will be co-created by women with vulvodynia and practitioners who come into contact with women with vulvodynia in their practice, recruited from third sector and NHS services. Audio-recorded interviews lasting approximately 1-1.5 hours with participants will inform an initial set of guidelines, and participants will be consulted through surveys in order to determine the most important guidelines for use in the final resource. Participant involvement will be over the duration of approximately 9 months, however participants will only be required to meet with the researcher during the interview, as survey consulting will take place remotely.
This study is funded by Health Education England and the research will be submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0234
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion