Female genital cosmetic surgery: a cross-sectional survey exploring knowledge, attitude and practice of general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To explore general practitioner's (GP) knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) in Australia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Australia.


METHODS
GPs who attended a women's health seminar and GPs who subscribed to a non-governmental, national health professional organisation database that provides education to primary care professionals.


METHODS
A national online survey of GPs was conducted for the 10-week period, starting 1 week prior and 2 months after a Women's Health seminar was held in Perth on 8 August 2015. 31 questions prompted GPs' knowledge, attitudes and practice in managing patients asking about FGCS.


RESULTS
The survey was fully completed by 443 GPs; 54% had seen patients requesting FGCS. Overall, 75% (95% CI 71% to 79%) of GPs rated their knowledge of FGCS as inadequate and 97% (95% CI 94% to 99%) had been asked by women of all ages about genital normality. Of those who had seen patients requesting FGCS, nearly half (44%, 95% CI 38% to 51%) reported they had insufficient knowledge of risks of FGCS procedures and 35% (95% CI 29% to 41%) reported seeing females younger than 18 years of age requesting FGCS. Just over half (56%, 95% CI 51% to 60%) of the GPs felt that women should be counselled before making a referral for FGCS. More than half the GPs suspected psychological disturbances in their patients requesting FGCS such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and body dysmorphic disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs see women of all ages presenting with genital anatomy concerns and in those who request FGCS, GPs often suspected a range of mental health difficulties. GPs require greater education to support their patients who request FGCS.
Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Expert Committee Quality Care, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
M
M
Simonis
Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Academic Department of Psychiatry, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
R
R
Manocha
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
J J
JJ
Ong
Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery Labiaplasty; GP; General Practitioner; Labiaplasty; Women's health; genital anatomy
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