Room 519-A | French Presentations Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Time: 8:30 AM-10:30 AM |
The assessment of sexual disorders in medical general practice.
De Sutter, Pascal *,1, Reynart, Christine1, de Carufel, Francois 2, 1 IEFS, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, Belgium2 IEPR, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, Belgium
ABSTRACT- Introduction and objectives Sexual dysfunctions may present a singular challenge to general practitioners. Human sexuality is seldom touched in most medical schools and general practitioners feel ill-equipped to assess and diagnose sexual disorders. In order to help physicians to make a comprehensive evaluation of a medical problem and to sort out the influences of sexual disorders from other medical conditions, we have developed a protocol providing guidelines to conduct assessment. These strategies will allow physicians to make better diagnoses, to deliver more adapted treatments, and to make more appropriate referrals. Main body/result Results and outcomes A multidisciplinary team of physicians, psychiatrists, sexologists and psychologists has created an interactive/educational CD-ROM specifically designed for general practitioners. The CD-ROM presents the steps to follow to evaluate the various elements that could be involved in the assessment of the case of a man suffering from stress at work, fatigue and depression. Medical, psychological, and sexological procedures are described. Professional actors role-play the characters of the physician, the patient, and the wife. Techniques to address the subject of sex with patients and strategies to quickly evaluate a sexual disorder are detailed. Criteria of male orgasmic disorder, the way it affects sexual interactions, and the impact it has on the life of individuals are also explained. Computerized animation, graphic illustrations, questions addressed to the viewers, and comments from specialists complete the presentation. The CD-ROM has been screened by experienced general practitioners and medical students. Preliminary results show that this interactive/educational approach is well-received by physicians and improves their understanding of how to make a sexological assessment and diagnosis. Conclusions An interactive/educational approach using a CD-ROM format helps general practitioners to develop a global strategy in the process of evaluating the various parameters - including sexual factors - affecting patients' health.
Key words: Male orgasmic disorder, General practitioners, Assessment of sexual dysfonction, Interactive/educational CD-ROM