Breast and pelvic examinations: easing women's discomfort

Area of Science:

• Women's Health
• Medical Practice
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Patient preferences for physicians and examination protocols are crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
• Understanding patient comfort during gynecologic examinations is essential for building trust and ensuring quality care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate women's preferences regarding the gender of physicians for gynecologic examinations.
• To determine patient desires for the presence of a third person (chaperone) during examinations.
• To identify desired physician and chaperone behaviors and assess experiences of unprofessional conduct.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing a 17-item questionnaire.
• Data collected from women aged 18 and older across two family practices in Saskatchewan (one rural, one urban).
• Surveys administered between February and April 1993.

Main Results:

• 51% of respondents were indifferent to physician gender, while 43% preferred female physicians.
• 62% of women desired a chaperone with a male physician, compared to 30% with a female physician.
• 42% wanted the option to choose a chaperone for every examination, and 19% for initial examinations with new doctors; 8% reported experiencing unprofessional conduct.

Conclusions:

• While many women are comfortable with either male or female physicians for gynecologic exams, a notable preference exists for female providers.
• The presence of a chaperone is highly desired when the examining physician is male, indicating a need for patient autonomy in this regard.
• Providing patients with the choice of a chaperone can enhance comfort and potentially mitigate experiences of unprofessional behavior.