The gynaecological examination—women's experiences and preferences and the role of the gynaecologist

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Abstract
Women's experiences and preferences concerning pelvic examinations were investigated in a pilot study, which is the first part of a research project dealing with women's and gynaecologists' attitudes to the gynaecological examination. A representative sample of women applying for gynaecological advice were investigated (n = 366). The women filled in an inquiry form before the consultation and in the waiting room of the out patients clinic at the Women's Clinic, University Hospital, Linkoping. For 54% of the women the sex of the doctor made no difference, while 42% preferred a female and 4% a male gynaecologist. Almost half of the women described the examination as a ‘negative' experience (by marking in the two ‘negative' fifths of a visual analogue scale). 44% described feelings of degradation (by marking as defined above). Women wished to be met on equal levels, as human beings and with warmth and respect. Further research is essential in order to analyse why such wishes are not fulfilled as a matter of course and thus unnecessary to be expressed at all. Another urgent research task is to find out why so many women connect the pelvic examination with negative feelings, as the first step in a process aimed at changing such attitudes.

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