Sexual history and examination in men and women. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henderson, Merle; Herbert, Sophie
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 50:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Examination -- history -- men -- MRCP -- non-binary -- safeguarding -- sexual health -- telemedicine -- trans-gender -- women -- young people; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Médecine factuelle -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2022.01.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-3039

Abstract

Abstract: Taking a sexual history and undertaking a genital examination are not skills regularly used in general medicine. While the structure and process of history-taking and clinical examination follow that seen in other medical specialties, aspects unique to taking a history that covers intimate subject matter require additional empathy, sensitivity and non-verbal skills, to enable clinicians to obtain the information needed to undertake an appropriately thorough assessment. Telemedicine has also become a routinely used way to assess some patients and requires some adaptation to these skills. This article aims to simplify sexual history-taking and examination, providing tips on how to do it well, whatever the setting.