Patient preferences for disposable and reusable vaginal specula and their willingness to compromise in the era of climate change: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Objective To evaluate patient satisfaction on gynaecological examination with metal, plastic and biobased plastic vaginal specula, and to investigate whether patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare system. Design Cross‐sectional study: population‐based survey. Setting Gynaecological outpatient clinics in five Dutch hospitals. Population Patients during general gynaecology consultation hours. Methods A survey containing two questions about patient demographics, four about comfort and five about sustainability and healthcare was distributed. Main outcome measures Comfort score (scale 1–10). Secondary outcomes: (1) temperature, size and ease of insertion, (2) willingness to compromise for a more sustainable healthcare system. Results In all, 196 patients completed the survey. Biobased plastic vaginal specula scored significantly higher on comfort than the metal ones (mean 8.03 ± 1.65 versus 7.26 ± 1.51 respectively; P < 0.001). The biobased plastic vaginal speculum is significantly the most comfortable on temperature, whereas the metal speculum is the least comfortable ( P < 0.007). Most patients are willing to compromise on comfort or are open to the reuse of disposables to contribute to a more sustainable healthcare. The majority of patients (77%) urge healthcare organisations to combat climate change. Conclusions There is a small but statistically significant difference in favour of a biobased plastic speculum regarding comfort score, although it might be questioned whether this is clinically relevant. Furthermore, patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare, which should be a contributing factor in speculum selection.