Predictors for Low Frequencies of Patient-Physician Conversations Concerning Sexual Health at an Austrian University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Studies concerning barriers to patient-physician conversations about sexual health or, specifically, sexual functioning fail to go beyond descriptive analyses of such barriers. Aim: To identify barriers that predict the frequency of patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health or sexual functioning. Methods: An online survey among physicians was conducted at an Austrian university hospital. Self-constructed questionnaires assessed physicians’ sociodemographic information, frequency of holding a discussion on sexual health or sexual dysfunctions with their patients, and self-perceived barriers to asking patients about sexual health. Stepwise logistic regression models determined barriers that predicted the frequency of patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health or sexual dysfunctions in everyday clinical practice. Main Outcome Measure: The outcome variables in the structural equation models were frequency of patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health or sexual dysfunctions in everyday clinical practice. Results: One hundred two physicians (53.9% women, 46.1% men; mean age = 41.3 years; SD = 10.6) provided full responses. Of these physicians, 61.8% reported having a discussion on sexual health or sexual dysfunctions with their patients at least rarely in their everyday clinical practice. The barriers most influencing the frequency of such patient-physician conversations were not feeling responsible for this health issue and expecting the patient to initiate such a conversation. Fear of offending the patient and the physician’s own feelings of shame and discomfort were additional factors influencing the frequency of these patient-physician conversations. Clinical Implications: Future physician training should address physicians’ responsibilities that include sexual health. Future physician training should also help physicians in overcoming fears of offending a patient, and one’s own feelings of shame and discomfort when addressing patients’ sexual health. Strengths & Limitations: This study included physicians across a range of disciplines, who may encounter patients with sexual problems and with their treatments influence a patient’s sexual health and sexual functioning. However, the low response rate and the limited number of participants prevented generalization of findings. Conclusions: At an Austrian university hospital, patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health are seldom part of a physician’s everyday clinical practice. Future training for physicians should focus on demonstrating the relevance of sexual health in the physician’s medical discipline and should tackle a physician’s feelings of shame or how to handle patients’ negative reactions during patient-physician conversations concerning sexual health.Komlenac N, Hochleitner M. Predictors for Low Frequencies of Patient-Physician Conversations Concerning Sexual Health at an Austrian University Hospital. Sex Med 2019; 8:100–106. Key Words: Patient-Physician Conversations, Sexual Health, Sexual Dysfunctions, Physician, Hospital, Barriers to Patient-Physician Conversations