Attitudes and clinical practices toward sexual problems: A National survey on sexual medicine among obstetrician-gynecologists in Finland

Abstract

Sexual health is essential to overall well-being but is often deprioritized in health care settings. Physicians do not routinely inquire about sexual problems during general history-taking, despite recognizing their importance. However, patients are often open to discussing sexual issues and expect physicians to initiate these conversations. Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) and general practitioners (GPs) are often the primary physicians consulted by female patients with sexual problems.

This study evaluated self-reported competence, barriers, attitudes, practice patterns, and education in sexual medicine among Finnish OB/GYNs and compared the results with those of Finnish GPs. Data were collected via a web-based questionnaire covering a wide range of questions regarding the management of patients’ sexual problems and previous sexual medical education. The questionnaire was distributed to members of the Finnish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a random sample of 1,000 Finnish GPs, with the assistance of the Finnish Medical Association.

The majority of OB/GYNs reported their competence as good in discussing sexual problems with patients, but poor in treating these issues. Almost all OB/GYNs rated treating sexual problems as an important health care issue, but fewer than half routinely inquired about them. Several barriers to bringing up sexual problems with their patients were identified, most frequently ‘shortness of the appointment time’ and ‘lack of knowledge and experience about sexual medicine.’ GPs also considered treating sexual problems as important, but compared to OB/GYNs, they inquired about them less often and reported more barriers to doing so. A minority of OB/GYNs and GPs reported that their organizations had instructions on where to refer patients with sexual problems. Most OB/GYNs indicated that the education in sexual medicine given during medical school and residency was insufficient, and the majority expressed a need for continuing medical education in sexual medicine. Physicians’ poor self-reported competence was associated with insufficient education in sexual medicine at all educational levels.

The results highlight the importance of improving sexual medicine education to enhance physicians’ ability to manage patients’ sexual problems.