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Sexual history-taking among primary care physicians
Yolanda H Wimberly1, Matthew Hogben, Jada Moore-Ruffin
1Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA. ywimberly@msm.edu
Journal of the National Medical Association
|January 18, 2007
Summary
Primary care physicians often feel comfortable taking sexual histories, but rarely ask about all components during routine visits. They are more likely to inquire if the patient
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Sexual Health
- Physician Education
Background:
- Sexual healthcare is often sought in primary care settings.
- Assessing the extent of sexual history-taking by primary care physicians (PCPs) is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the frequency of sexual history-taking among Atlanta-area PCPs.
- To identify the components of sexual histories taken and the circumstances under which they are obtained.
Main Methods:
- A mail survey was conducted among 416 physicians across four specialties (obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, general/family practice, pediatrics).
- Physicians reported on their practices regarding sexual history-taking during routine, initial, or complaint-based visits.
- Physicians' comfort levels and perceived training adequacy for taking sexual histories were assessed.
Main Results:
- A majority of physicians (56%) felt adequately trained and (79%) comfortable taking sexual histories.
- While 58% asked about sexual activity at routine visits, only 12-34% inquired about specific components of a comprehensive sexual history.
- However, 76% reported asking about sexual history when relevant to the chief complaint.
Conclusions:
- Most physicians are comfortable discussing sexual health but infrequently incorporate comprehensive sexual histories into routine care.
- There is a gap in systematically gathering essential components of sexual histories during preventive healthcare.
- The findings suggest a need for enhanced training and structural changes to improve sexual history-taking in primary care.
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