Knowledge associated with attitudes and practice in the management of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction: a...

The authors investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP) among urologists and andrologists.

This study invited urologists and andrologists from more than 150 medical centers across China to participate in this cross-sectional survey. We used an anonymous and web-based research database and a quota sampling approach. Questionnaires were distributed and analyzed from December 2023 to March 2024.

In total, 921 participants were eligible for this study. Among eligible participants, 476 participants [51.7%] scored at least 6 points of a total score of 10 points in the knowledge test, and 650 participants [70.6%] of the participants scored at least 6 points in the attitude test. Among 476 participants who scored at least 6 points, 402 participants [84.5%] were cognizant of the clinical guidelines of ED and implemented them in clinical practice; 153 participants [32.1%] assessed the patient's erectile dysfunction before performing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer; 91 participants [19.1%] utilized the technique of preserving the neurovascular bundles during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, which were significantly higher than rates among 445 participants with scoring less than 6 points (147 participants [33.0%]; 45 participants [10.1%]; 24 participants [5.4%]). The most significant challenges in the management of ED after RP were lack of sufficient experience (58.7%), deficiency in knowledge within the domain (53.9%), and rarity of effective treatments and medications (41.2%).

Physicians generally possess insufficient knowledge about ED after RP. Insufficient sexual health knowledge is closely associated with the attitudes and practice patterns of physicians. The lack of understanding and experience about ED among physicians may be a key reason why patients struggle to receive comprehensive sexual education and penile rehabilitation services after RP. Physicians should undergo more in-depth education in sexual medicine to sufficiently respond to the escalating professional demands in the field.