Patient preferences for disposable and reusable vaginal specula and their willingness to compromise in the era of climate change: A cross-sectional study

Amber A. A. ten Buuren, Tessa B. Poolman, Marlies Y. Bongers, Lauren M. Bullens, Nehalennia van Hanegem, Wenche M. Klerkx, Anne Timmermans, Nicolaas P. A. Zuithoff, Anneke Kwee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction on gynaecological examination with metal, plastic and biobased plastic vaginal specula, and to investigate whether patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare system. Design: Cross-sectional study: population-based survey. Setting: Gynaecological outpatient clinics in five Dutch hospitals. Population: Patients during general gynaecology consultation hours. Methods: A survey containing two questions about patient demographics, four about comfort and five about sustainability and healthcare was distributed. Main outcome measures: Comfort score (scale 1–10). Secondary outcomes: (1) temperature, size and ease of insertion, (2) willingness to compromise for a more sustainable healthcare system. Results: In all, 196 patients completed the survey. Biobased plastic vaginal specula scored significantly higher on comfort than the metal ones (mean 8.03 ± 1.65 versus 7.26 ± 1.51 respectively; P < 0.001). The biobased plastic vaginal speculum is significantly the most comfortable on temperature, whereas the metal speculum is the least comfortable (P < 0.007). Most patients are willing to compromise on comfort or are open to the reuse of disposables to contribute to a more sustainable healthcare. The majority of patients (77%) urge healthcare organisations to combat climate change. Conclusions: There is a small but statistically significant difference in favour of a biobased plastic speculum regarding comfort score, although it might be questioned whether this is clinically relevant. Furthermore, patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare, which should be a contributing factor in speculum selection.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Early online date2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2023

Keywords

  • climate change
  • disposable
  • healthcare sustainability
  • patient preference
  • reusable
  • vaginal speculum
  • waste

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