Nurses’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Caring for a Person with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Integrative Review

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition which affects 4-20% of reproductive-aged women worldwide, yet the education, understanding and support for both healthcare staff and patients is relatively limited in comparison. This study aimed to explore nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of caring for a person living with PCOS across healthcare settings.

Methods: An integrative review guided by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was conducted. Six electronic databases were searched: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Ovid, Scopus, PubMed and ProQuest. Included studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Inductive thematic analysis was used to generate themes, sub-themes and categories.

Results: Eleven studies involving approximately 1002 nurses were included. Three themes, eight categories and 172 codes were generated from 287 findings: (1) clinical manifestations (menstruation, reproduction, and fertility; physical presentation; and risks of PCOS), (2) management (functional lifestyle intervention; managing PCOS; diagnosis), (3) health literacy (PCOS knowledge; and sources of knowledge).

Conclusion: Deficits in the knowledge and perceptions of nurses were identified and congruent with those of other healthcare practitioners, with educational interventions proving to be beneficial to improve knowledge and understanding of PCOS. This necessitates further educational support for nurses and further development and distribution of care protocols to improve the lives of people living with PCOS.