Physician attitudes regarding hypoactive sexual desire disorder in a primary care clinic: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD), in particular, complaints of low desire, affects many American women. Despite the impact FSD may have on these women, many do not present their symptoms to their physicians.


OBJECTIVE
To determine physician attitudes and practices regarding hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in the primary care setting.


METHODS
A 10-item questionnaire regarding HSDD.


METHODS
All residents and faculty in an academic primary care clinic were invited to participate in a web-based survey regarding HSDD. Return of the questionnaire was considered consent. Responses were downloaded into Excel and converted into an spss database.


RESULTS
In total, 53 of 155 physicians responded (46% response rate-41.5% women, 58.5% men). Of respondents, 90% reported little confidence in making the diagnosis of HSDD, 90% of physicians had not screened a patient for HSDD, and 98% of the physicians had not prescribed medication for patients with HSDD. No significant gender differences among physicians were identified, but faculty providers had more confidence in diagnosing and treating HSDD than resident physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate there is an opportunity to improve patient care and life satisfaction by offering physicians training on diagnosis and management of HSDD.
Harsh
Veronica
V
National Institutes of Mental Health, Behavioral Endocrinology, Bethesda, MD, USA.
McGarvey
Elizabeth Lloyd
EL
Clayton
Anita H
AH
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States