Design: Provider focus group discussions (FDGs) were performed using a semi-structured guide and facilitated by a qualitative researcher. The International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) pelvic pain assessment form was evaluated. FDG transcripts were analyzed through rapid thematic analysis.

Setting: Tertiary-care academic hospital

Patients or Participants: Family medicine, internal medicine, general obstetrics and gynecology physicians, and advance practice providers

Interventions: N/A

Measurements and Main Results: We conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with primary care providers (n=30). Topics discussed included providers’ experiences identifying and diagnosing patients with CPP and endometriosis, familiarity with the IPPS pelvic pain assessment form, and preferences regarding standardized history-taking tools and diagnostic methods. Principal themes that emerged from FGDs included that providers are not familiar with any standardized screening or diagnostic tools for CPP and endometriosis and that confidence in diagnosis varies widely. When introduced to the IPPS assessment form, providers noted that the form was too long, though found it helpful for body pain mapping and pain-specific questions. Preferences surrounding history-taking tools included a shorter format, utilization of scores as outputs, and integration with the electronic medical record (EMR) that patients can complete prior to a visit.

Conclusion: FGDs revealed that educational interventions surrounding the diagnosis of CPP and endometriosis could help increase primary care provider confidence in caring for this population. Providers would prefer to use a concise screening tool that integrates with the EMR and provides risk scores to facilitate earlier diagnosis.