Doctors Talking About Sexuality: What Are the Patients' Feelings?

Many medical practitioners avoid discussing the subject of sexuality with their patients because they are afraid of invading their privacy.

This study was carried out to discover what patients feel when asked about their sexuality by their GP.

A qualitative study was carried out that involved 96 patients aged 18 to 86. The patients were recruited from 4 medical offices in the South of France. A substitute general practitioner asked the patients, "How is your sexuality these days?" during routine consultations. The patients were then asked how they felt about that question in semi-structured interviews.

This study highlights the existence of a discrepancy between physicians' beliefs and patients' expectations. Indeed, physicians fear that they would embarrass their patients if they address the subject of sexual intimacy. As it turns out, 93% of the patients would have welcomed that question.

34 patients (35%) were surprised by the question. 7 patients (7%) found the question unwelcome. 89 patients (93%) had a neutral or positive feeling. 78 patients (81%) deemed that sexual history should form an integral part of GP consultations (50% were in favor of systematic screenings for sexual dysfunctions, while 31% preferred targeted screenings). 2 patients (2%) found that the question had boosted their confidence and strengthened the doctor-patient relationship.

Most patients do not deem that their GP is invading their privacy if the GP touches upon the subject of sexuality, even if the patient's visit was for a different reason. Before addressing the issue, the GP must ensure that an appropriate framework of trust, care, and empathy is in place. If this framework is present, the patient will be able to overcome his/her feelings of surprise and know that there is a safe space to talk freely about this topic. Zéler A, Troadec C. Doctors Talking About Sexuality: What Are the Patients' Feelings?. Sex Med 2020;8:599-607.