We aimed to utilize qualitative methods to describe primary care providers’ experiences caring for racially and ethnically diverse patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and endometriosis, focusing on barriers to care.

Design:

Provider focus group discussions (FGDs) were performed using a semi-structured guide and transcripts were analyzed through rapid thematic analysis.

Setting:

Tertiary-care academic hospital

Patients or Participants:

Family medicine, internal medicine, and general obstetrics and gynecology physicians and advance practice providers

Interventions:

N/A

Measurements and Main Results:

We conducted eight FGDs with primary care providers (n=30). Providers were asked about experiences caring for patients with CPP and endometriosis, the role of race and ethnicity, and barriers to addressing CPP for racially and ethnically diverse patients. Key themes that emerged from the FGDs included lack of provider training in CPP and endometriosis, limited access to subspecialty care, and limited visit time. Providers noted that racially and ethnically diverse patients may feel dismissed or disbelieved by providers and experience distrust of the medical system. Culture may impact patients’ perspectives on their disease and treatment acceptance. Additional barriers include language discordance, few providers who are racially or ethnically diverse, and difficulties obtaining adequate insurance coverage for CPP care.

Conclusion:

Primary care providers are frequently the first health care practitioners to evaluate patients with CPP and endometriosis, prior to subspecialty referral. Trust, access, and education are barriers that providers identified in caring for racially and ethnically diverse patients. Interventions aimed at addressing these barriers could help to improve provider confidence and facilitate the earlier effective treatments for CPP and endometriosis.