Patients' Attitudes toward Proactive Screening for Sexual Dysfunction

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although proactive screening for sexual dysfunction in primary care has been emphasized as an important part of comprehensive care, doctors seldom ask their patients about their sexual function. Worry about patients' responses was reckoned as a major barrier, but few studies have dealt with how patients feel and what they want. This study was aimed to describe and analyze the attitudes of patients toward proactive screening for sexual dysfunction. METHODS: A set of self-administered questionnaire was given to every patients who visited a family medicine clinic in a university hospital for 2 weeks from March 16, 2005. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were analyzed. Among them, 72.4% were willing to consult their physician when they were in trouble with their sexual function, and 84.3% said proactive screening for sexual dysfunction was necessary. Many patients did not care about 'when to be asked' and wanted to be asked in face-to-face interview rather than by a questionnaire. Sentence emphasizing that every patient is given the same question was most preferred. CONCLUSION: Patients' attitude toward proactive screening for sexual dysfunction in primary care was generally positive. Patients preferred to be asked "I ask every patient about his sexual problem. If you're OK, I ask you about your sexual problem." regardless of timing, during the interview.