Use of symptom-reporting tools to support endometriosis identification and management in primary care: a realist synthesis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Endometriosis affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age and is associated with chronic pain, infertility and reduced quality of life. Symptom Reporting Tools (SRTs) may support identification and management in primary care, but evidence is limited. This review investigates what works, for whom, in what contexts and why, when using SRTs for endometriosis in primary care.

Design

A realist synthesis was used to develop programme theories on how SRTs were intended to work for women and healthcare practitioners.

Data sources

A purposive and iterative search was conducted across eight databases (Google Scholar, Press Reader, PubMed, Web of Science, LibrarySearch, APA PsycINFO via Ovid, Overton and Scopus) between January and April 2024 and updated in October 202

SUBMITTER: Silveira Bianchim M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13629848 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature