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Biobank for Translational Medicine: Standard Operating Procedures for Optimal Sample Management
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Standard operating procedures for taking a sexual history.
Stanley E Althof1, Raymond C Rosen, Michael A Perelman
1Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, USA. stanley.althof@case.edu
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
|September 14, 2012
Summary
Healthcare professionals can improve diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction by using a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for taking sexual histories. This structured approach ensures a patient-centered, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive method for addressing sexual concerns.
Area of Science:
- Sexual Medicine
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Background:
- Male and female sexual dysfunctions are underdiagnosed and undertreated globally.
- Healthcare professionals (HCPs) often lack training and are reluctant to address sexual health issues.
- Inadequate and non-standardized training hinders effective sexual history taking and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a standard operating procedure (SOP) for taking sexual histories.
- To provide a structured method for assessing male and female sexual problems and performance concerns.
- To enhance HCPs' ability to manage sexual health issues effectively.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of evidence-based studies.
- Integration of expert opinion.
- Development of a standardized protocol for sexual history taking.
Main Results:
- Guidelines for sexual history taking are presented.
- Key domains, opening questions, and follow-up inquiries are detailed.
- A uniform approach for assessing sexual concerns is outlined.
Conclusions:
- The SOP offers a brief, structured, and uniform method for HCPs to obtain sexual histories.
- Key principles include a patient-centered approach, evidence-based recommendations, and a unified management strategy.
- Culturally sensitive sexual inquiry should be integrated into routine patient encounters.
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