Date
4-2024
Program
Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 10% of the global population, including 1.4 million Canadians. Various aspects of PCOS, including its multifactorial nature and ambiguous diagnostic and treatment guidelines, may hinder optimal patient care.
Objective: Investigate the knowledge gaps in the care of patients with PCOS in Canada.
Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were searched, and 2098 articles were screened. After review, 23 articles discussing the work-up, clinical care, and patient experience of people with PCOS in Canada were extracted.
Results: Four main themes prevailed in our review: 1) inconsistent and misunderstood diagnostic criteria lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment; 2) limited information provision on lifestyle management is unsupportive to patients; 3) there is an increasing need to address the psychosocial impacts of PCOS; and 4) there are opportunities to improve the experiences of women with PCOS within the health care setting.
Discussion: Current literature lacks Canada-wide research participation, provider perspectives, and the inclusion of sex-and-gender-based analysis. Based on our review, efforts that expedite diagnosis, personalize lifestyle guidance, attend to patients’ mental health needs, and promote positive patient experiences are avenues to improve the care of people with PCOS in Canada. The establishment of a Canadian PCOS health charity is a possible solution to help address the identified gaps in knowledge on PCOS in Canada. We propose the health charity’s framework be established on the foundational pillars of: (1) education and information; (2) professional network; (3) patient community and representation; and (4) research funding.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Dr. Hossein Noyan as our Capstone supervisor, Dr. Nicole Campbell as our Program Director, and the rest of the Interdisciplinary Medical Science team for their continued guidance. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Kristen Clemens, Dr. Selena Liu, Dr. Tisha R. Joy, & Dr. Ruth McManus for their clinician-based edits.
Creative Commons License
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