Implications for clinical practice and research
The modified survey should be made readily visible (for example on the BSGE website for download [https://www.bsge.org.uk]) and available for use by OPH units to allow comparison and benchmarking. In this way, areas of good practice can be highlighted, and explanations for excellent performance explored and shared with the wider gynaecological community. Conversely, areas of sub-optimal performance can be more readily identified, enquiries instigated and remedial measures put in place, such as rectifying staffing, infrastructure or equipment deficiencies, changing appointment schedules, improving patient information and offering additional clinician training, as appropriate.
The national survey should be repeated within the next 2 to 5 years to evaluate whether the overall practice has improved as gauged from the mean scores/responses acquired compared to the index survey conducted at the end of 2019. Further work is needed to produce the OPH-PSS in other languages to ensure that the experience of all the UK community is obtained and to allow the use of the survey internationally enhancing generalisability further and acquiring global perspectives. The OPH-PSS should also be formatted electronically for completion to aid wider dissemination.
The exploration of potential reasons behind the individual scores of participating women was beyond the scope of this project. However, qualitative research could be targeted at women reporting poor experiences, especially relating to the experience of unacceptable pain during hysteroscopy.