Use of an assessment tool to enhance diabetes educators' ability to identify erectile dysfunction

An assessment tool to identify erectile dysfunction is useful to diabetes educators in recognizing patients with sexual dysfunction requiring further counseling, education, and treatment. Use of an assessment tool serves as a first step in creating dialogue between diabetes educators and patients living with undiagnosed erectile dysfunction. The assessment tool helps identify underlying causes of erectile dysfunction, its impact on psychological well-being, and identification of treatment and referral needs. The purpose of this article is to discuss the value of assessing erectile dysfunction as a component of comprehensive diabetes care. An example of an erectile dysfunction assessment tool developed in 1991 is presented.