Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The practice of rectal examination.

D P Ng1, J F Mayberry, A S McIntyre

  • 1Medical Research Centre, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK.

Postgraduate Medical Journal
|October 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

This study explored how patients feel about rectal exams, which are commonly used to check for issues in the lower digestive system. Researchers surveyed 103 patients and found that most wanted to be informed about the exam before it happened. Patients expected doctors to explain why the exam was needed and preferred to give verbal consent. They also wanted a chaperone present if possible. The study found that rectal exams helped diagnose problems in nearly half of the cases. The authors suggest that these exams should be done when symptoms point to the lower gastrointestinal tract and that patient communication is key to making the process smoother.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The impact of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 on birth rates amongst South Asian women in England.

The Medico-legal journal·2025
Same author

NHS Trust Boards and Health and Well-being Boards: Do they play any role in the management of disparate levels of care for South Asian patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

The Ulster medical journal·2023
Same author

Responding to the post-pandemic crisis: post-exposure prophylaxis for TB.

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease·2022
Same author

Khan v Meadows [2021] UKSC 21 and its potential impact on clinical negligence cases.

The Medico-legal journal·2022
Same author

Functional cell phenotype induction with TGF-β1 and collagen-polyurethane scaffold for annulus fibrosus rupture repair.

European cells & materials·2020
Same author

Thermoresponsive, redox-polymerized cellulosic hydrogels undergo in situ gelation and restore intervertebral disc biomechanics post discectomy.

European cells & materials·2018

Area of Science:

  • Clinical examination practices in gastroenterology
  • Patient perspectives in diagnostic procedures
  • Medical ethics and informed consent in rectal examination

Background:

Prior research has shown that rectal examination is a standard clinical procedure in assessing lower gastrointestinal symptoms. However, limited data exists on patient perceptions of this examination. It was already known that rectal examination can aid in diagnosing conditions such as colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. That uncertainty drove the need to explore patient expectations and comfort levels regarding rectal examination. This gap motivated the study to evaluate patient attitudes and the perceived value of the procedure. No prior work had resolved how to best communicate the necessity of rectal examination to patients. Understanding patient perspectives could improve clinical practice and informed consent processes. The study aimed to bridge the gap between clinical necessity and patient expectations.

Purpose Of The Study:

The researchers aimed to assess patient opinions about rectal examination as a routine clinical procedure. The specific problem addressed was the lack of data on how patients perceive the necessity and execution of rectal examination. Motivation for the study came from the need to align clinical practice with patient expectations. The study sought to determine whether patients value rectal examination and under what conditions. It also aimed to identify patient preferences regarding communication and consent during the procedure. The researchers wanted to understand if rectal examination is perceived as beneficial or burdensome. No prior work had explored the impact of informed consent and presence of a chaperone on patient satisfaction. The study aimed to provide actionable insights for improving patient-centered care in diagnostic procedures.

Keywords:
rectal examinationpatient consentclinical communicationdiagnostic procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the authors, rectal examination facilitated diagnosis in 47% of patients.

Patients expected hospital doctors to explain the method and reason for the examination.

Patients requested a chaperone to be present where logistically possible.

Informed verbal consent was considered sufficient by most patients.

A total of 103 patients were surveyed during their second outpatient interview.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Methods:

The researchers used a questionnaire-based approach to collect data from patients. A total of 103 patients were surveyed during their second outpatient interview. The questionnaire focused on patient attitudes toward rectal examination. It included questions about awareness, explanation, consent, and the presence of a chaperone. Data collection was conducted in a clinical setting to ensure relevance to real-world practice. The study did not involve physical examination or medical interventions beyond data gathering. Patient responses were analyzed to identify common preferences and concerns. The method allowed for a direct assessment of patient perspectives on rectal examination.

Main Results:

The strongest finding was that 47% of patients believed rectal examination facilitated their diagnosis. Patients emphasized the importance of being informed about the possibility of rectal examination before hospital consultation. Explanation of the procedure and its purpose was expected from hospital doctors. Verbal informed consent was considered sufficient by most patients. A chaperone was requested in 100% of cases where logistically possible. Patients valued awareness and explanation as key components of the process. The study found a strong preference for transparency and communication prior to the examination. These results suggest that patient-centered communication can improve the acceptance of rectal examination.

Conclusions:

The authors suggest that rectal examination should be performed when symptoms relate to the lower gastrointestinal tract. They propose that informed verbal consent is acceptable in most cases. The study implies that patient preferences should guide clinical practice in diagnostic procedures. The authors state that rectal examination may facilitate diagnosis in nearly half of the cases. They propose that awareness and explanation are essential for patient satisfaction. The study does not claim that rectal examination is necessary in all cases. It suggests that the presence of a chaperone should be prioritized where possible. The authors conclude that patient-centered communication can improve the acceptance of rectal examination.

The authors propose that rectal examination should be performed when symptoms relate to the lower gastrointestinal tract.