Alert response to clinic patients
leads UW professor to rewarding research
Nursing Professor Rebecca Carron, PhD, RN, NP-C—a nurse practitioner involved with dermatology—was honored by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine at their 2014 annual meeting. Carron received a $1,000 research award for her nursing research in partnership with co-investigator, Dr. Ruben Alvero, Reproduction Endocrinologist. Their research is titled “Psychosocial Distress, Coping, and Health-Related Quality of life (HRQL) in Adult Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).”
Carron’s interest in PCOS seems unusual in that it stems from her clinical work as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Dermatology. “But Dermatology is an entry point in the health care of women with PCOS,” says Carron. “Such women have problems with acne and hirsutism [abnormal growth of hair on face and body] due to the hormonal imbalance of the syndrome, so they seek care from a dermatologist.”
Carron continues, “Many of these women have been to three or four different medical offices before they come to the dermatologist and finally find out they have PCOS.” Carron said she began to be suspicious that PCOS was the culprit in many young women’s acne problems as she began interviewing them further and would find some having difficulty becoming pregnant, for instance—a big sign that PCOS may be the cause. Carron screens all young women who present for an acne evaluation for PCOS by asking some simple questions.
Carron is grateful for the ASRM award, noting, “The award helps to acknowledge that our research is relevant and important.” She hopes that other NPs will become aware of this research and be on the alert for such young women. “FNPs as primary health care providers have an incredible opportunity to screen and diagnose PCOS in their practice,” stresses Carron.
