Aberdeen women are being urged to help shape future research into women’s reproductive health.
University of Aberdeen researchers want females to tell them their thoughts on research and the areas of reproductive health they would like researchers to investigate.
Volunteers – who would be aged between 18 and 60 – would join a focus group that would meet once for about an hour at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital where they will discuss health topics that are likely to include:
· Period problems
· Menopause
· Pregnancy
· Fertility/ infertility
· Birth including caesarean section
· Urinary incontinence
· Postnatal care
Cancer care will not be included.
Dr Maureen Porter, Research Fellow with the University’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, said: “We are hoping around 10 or 12 ‘ordinary’ women will want to join our focus group which will be the first of a number of focus groups that we are launching to explore women’s reproductive health.
“Our volunteers don’t need to have experienced many of these conditions themselves but they should have ideas about what issues are important. They should also be willing to discuss ways that care is delivered.
“However I should stress that there will be no right or wrong answers and women don’t need prior knowledge of research.
“This is a great opportunity for women to tell us what areas of women’s reproductive health we should be researching in the future.”
Future focus groups will involve current patients with relevant experiences and active members of patient support groups. They will concentrate on more practical aspects of becoming involved in research in this area.
Women wishing to take part or to find out more should ring Dr Maureen Porter on 01224 554875 or Dr Shilpi Pandey on 553582 or they can email: m.a.porter@abdn.ac.uk