Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jun;32(3):278-283.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2018.10.008. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Factors Influencing Adolescent and Young Adults' First Pelvic Examination Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Ava F Bryan  1 , Julie Chor  2
Affiliations

Factors Influencing Adolescent and Young Adults' First Pelvic Examination Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Ava F Bryan et al. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Study objective: To understand the factors that influence individuals' experiences during their first pelvic examination. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We conducted semistructured interviews with adolescents and young adults, aged 18-24, who had received at least 1 pelvic examination. Interviews explored contextual factors of the first pelvic examination, including visit acuity and clinical setting and individuals' experiences with the pelvic examination itself and elicited recommendations on how to improve the examination experience. Interviews were transcribed and computer-assisted content analysis was performed; salient themes are presented.

Results: Thirty participants completed interviews. Nineteen participants described their first pelvic examination experience as positive; 11 described this examination as a negative or neutral experience. Factors influencing the experience include the examination indication and acuity, examination location and physical space, provider features, relational and interpersonal features, and procedural aspects. Recommendations included: (1) establish rapport and educate before the examination; (2) establish practices to orient patients; (3) make no assumptions about identity; and (4) elicit continuous feedback.

Conclusion: Individuals' first pelvic examination experiences are influenced by a variety of factors. Although some factors are directly modifiable by providers, other factors that might not be modifiable are important to elicit to optimize the examination experience. These findings call for best practice guidelines and educational interventions to prepare providers to perform the first pelvic examination.

Keywords: Adolescents; Patient–provider communication; Pelvic examination; Young adults.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Themes regarding factors influencing experiences during the first pelvic examination.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Well-woman visit. Committee Opinion No. 534. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2012;120:421–4. - PubMed
    1. The Initial Reproductive Health Visit. Committee Opinion No. 598. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2014;123:1143–7. - PubMed
    1. Wijma B, Gullberg M, Kjessler B. Attitudes towards pelvic examination in a random sample of Swedish women. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica 1998;77:422–8. - PubMed
    1. Yanikkerem E, Özdemir M, Bingol H, Tatar A, Karadeniz G. Women’s attitudes and expectations regarding gynaecological examination. Midwifery 2009;25:500–8. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hilden M, Sidenius K, Langhoff‐Roos J, Wijma B, Schei B. Women’s experiences of the gynecologic examination: factors associated with discomfort. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica 2003;82:1030–6. - PubMed