Caren J Frost
University of Utah, USA
Title: Crafting multidisciplinary discussions around the healthcare needs of women with PCOS: A social work frame
Biography
Biography: Caren J Frost
Abstract
According to the PCOS website and the Mayo Clinic, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts approximately 10% of all women and girls. Since it is the most common female endocrine disorder involving multiple organ systems within the body, the treatment of PCOS requires a more holistic discussion utilizing multidisciplinary team building education. Interestingly, PCOS impacts females across the life, making this syndrome a topic area of which medical social workers worldwide should be aware. Medical teams should be structured to deal with the various facets of PCOS so that (a) women can be treated in a comprehensive manner, (b) providers can more effectively share health information among team members, and (c) women’s individual factors impacting PCOS can be identified. Understanding how the woman’s family context and her home environment can be supportive in providing treatment parameters will enable a woman to make the most of her treatment options to maximize her quality of life. The medical education of social work students needs to be enhanced so that practicing social workers can become effective clinicians in medical settings that provide healthcare to women. This plenary session will explore how to begin this discussion so that healthcare providers can develop a more concrete understanding about creating interdisciplinary teams to discuss PCOS with clients and their families.