Women's views about intimate examinations and sexually inappropriate practices by their general practitioners

The aim of this survey of 472 adult women was to assess women patients' fee lings about intimate examinations and their perceptions and experiences of sexually inappropriate medical practice. Two-thirds of women preferred a wo men doctor for intimate examinations. Slightly more than two-thirds found i ntimate examinations embarrassing and stressful, and strongly expressed the need for information and on-task, health-related comments during these exa minations. General personal comments or non-medical touching were not parti cularly welcomed, even for the purpose of comforting the patient. There was a range of views about patients' personal relationships with doctors, with the lines between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour somewhat ambiguous . A small but significant number of women perceived that they had been sexu ally harassed (5%) or abused (3%) by a doctor, with this experience more co mmon for non-English speaking women. Results were discussed in terms of imp lications for improved doctor practice, particularly during intimate examin ations and with vulnerable patients.