Dalarna University's logo and link to the university's website

Background: Women with chronic pelvic pain (a common and often debilitating set of reproductive pain conditions without clear treatment protocol, shortened CPP) often face challenges in their healthcare encounters, which leads to disengagement with the healthcare system without resolution of the problem and can cause severe personal and socio-economic consequences. Generic research on chronic pain conditions is used for clinical practice, despite evidence that gendered and reproductive health conditions might warrant a different approach. Limited qualitative research has been done on the topic but as of yet, no qualitative metaanalyses have been conducted.

Aim: This research aims to synthesize the existing literature on the experience of healthcare encounters of those with CPP, and construct a new and usable model to aid healthcare providers in their journey with patients with CPP.

Methods: A metaethnographic approach is used to synthesize seven qualitative studies on healthcare experiences and CPP.

Results: The present results indicate that healthcare encounters are experienced as a site of identity formation that rests upon the need for finding Embodied Authority, establishing Shared Narratives and Safety in the healthcare encounter.

Conclusion: The healthcare encounter is experienced as a site of identity formation that rests upon the ability to discover and tend to the needs of women presenting with CPP.