Exploring the needs of adolescents with endometriosis, and parents, in Australian primary care

Endometriosis often starts in adolescence, yet adolescents’ symptoms are often misunderstood and diagnosis is difficult. A general practitioner (GP) is usually the first point of contact to address endometriosis-related symptoms. However, navigating the health system for endometriosis diagnosis and management is challenging, and delays in diagnosis are often attributed to GPs. Parents play an important role in coordinating their adolescent’s healthcare, decision-making and advocating for their child, later handing over responsibility to the older adolescent to independently manage their condition. This qualitative research will explore the experiences and needs of adolescents with endometriosis, and parents of adolescents with endometriosis, around diagnosis and management of the condition in Australian primary care settings. The findings will help inform future research focussed on improving care for adolescents with endometriosis in Australian primary care settings. The SPHERE CRE is dedicated to better sexual and reproductive health outcomes for women through primary care. Students working within SPHERE will be supported by a vibrant research team consisting of PhD students, academic registrars and Honours students. They will also have the opportunity to be part of a large, multidisciplinary, collaborative team of investigators, which includes prominent national and international researchers and experts working in women’s health, general practice, pharmacy, nursing, epidemiology, knowledge translation, health economics, and policy development.