A national survey of outpatient hysteroscopy

Abstract

To look at the current practice in outpatient hysteroscopy, in particular to determine the availability, staffing levels, equipment used, and facilities throughout the UK, and to ascertain why the service is not more widely available for patients.

A postal questionnaire with no follow up for non-responders.

National survey throughout the UK.

All consultant gynaecologists throughout the UK.

These were: the availability of outpatient hysteroscopy nationally; the reasons why outpatient hysteroscopy is presently not available in some units, and whether this facility was wanted in those units.

1148 questionnaires were mailed with 637 responses (55.5%), representing 80.7% of gynaecology units throughout the UK. Of the respondents, 55.6% had access to outpatient hysteroscopy, and of the respondents without access 77.7% would have liked the facility to be available. The reasons given for the lack of an outpatient hysteroscopy service were: lack of funding (35%); unavailable facilities (35%); alternative investigations employed (21.9%); not clinically appropriate (4.9%), and not cost-effective (3.2%).

Outpatient hysteroscopy is available but its extent could be improved. The clinics are generally run once per week, with about six patients per clinic. It appears to be a consultant-led service, and most of those consultants who do not have access to outpatient hysteroscopy would like the facility to be available but do not have the funding or facilities.