{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Patient preferences for disposable and reusable vaginal specula and their willingness to compromise in the era of climate change: A cross-sectional study.
{Author}: Ten Buuren AAA;Poolman TB;Bongers MY;Bullens LM;Van Hanegem N;Klerkx WM;Timmermans A;Zuithoff NPA;Kwee A;
{Journal}: BJOG
{Volume}: 131
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: 2024 Apr 10
{Factor}: 7.331
{DOI}: 10.1111/1471-0528.17733
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>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.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Cross-sectional study: population-based survey.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Gynaecological outpatient clinics in five Dutch hospitals.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Patients during general gynaecology consultation hours.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A survey containing two questions about patient demographics, four about comfort and five about sustainability and healthcare was distributed.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Comfort score (scale 1-10).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>(1) temperature, size and ease of insertion, (2) willingness to compromise for a more sustainable healthcare system.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>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.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>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.