Breast and pelvic examinations: easing women's discomfort

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether women prefer male or female physicians for gynecologic examinations, whether they want a third person present during examinations, and what behaviour physicians and third persons should exhibit. We also sought to determine whether women had experienced any unprofessional behaviour from doctors.

Design: Cross-sectional, 17-item questionnaire.

Setting: Two Saskatchewan family practices: one rural (Melfort), one urban (Saskatoon).

Participants: All women 18 years old and older who visited their family physicians' offices between February and April 1993.

Main outcome measures: Patient preferences regarding physician behaviour and any perceived unprofessional behaviour.

Results: Of 350 questionnaires, 336 were completed correctly. Responses indicated that 51% did not mind whether the physician was male or female, but 43% preferred female doctors. When being examined by a male physician, 62% wanted a third person present; only 30% wanted that if the physician was female. Of all women, 42% wanted the opportunity to choose whether a third person was present every time and another 19% only for the first examination by a new doctor. Supportive behaviours were indicated. "Unprofessional" conduct had been experienced by 8% of respondents.

Conclusions: Many women do not mind whether they are examined by male or female doctors. Many prefer having a third person present when the examining physician is a man. Some want the opportunity to choose whether a chaperone is present.