Improving Erectile Dysfunction Management Among Asian Men With Diabetes Using the Knowledge Translation Intervention

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Primary Care
• Health Communication

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often undertreated in Asian men due to cultural factors and communication challenges.
• Effective communication strategies are crucial for managing ED, especially in primary care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a patient prompt sheet and the Knowledge Translation Tools in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction (LASTED) on ED discussion and treatment initiation.
• To assess the effectiveness of these tools in a primary care setting with Asian men experiencing ED.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study involving 120 Asian men with diabetes in Kedah, Malaysia.
• Intervention group received a prompt sheet and physicians used LASTED; control group received standard care.
• Outcomes measured included ED discussion initiation, medication prescription, and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• ED discussion initiation increased to 66.7% in the intervention group versus 8.3% in the control group.
• Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors were prescribed to 57.5% of patients in the intervention group.
• Use of LASTED was linked to increased prescription of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (P = .011) and higher patient satisfaction (P <.001).

Conclusions:

• Combining patient prompt sheets and LASTED tools can overcome communication barriers and encourage ED treatment discussions.
• These interventions are particularly beneficial for Asian men who may perceive ED as a taboo subject.
• The study highlights a practical approach to improve ED management in primary care for specific patient populations.