Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the perception of gynecologic examination from the patients’ point of view.

Materials and methods

This anonymous electronic cross-sectional survey aimed to evaluate the subjective experiences of women during gynecologic examinations (levels of pain, embarrassment and trauma), the manner the examination was conducted, and women’s suggestions for improving their experience.

Results

Overall, 6,508 women answered the survey. The examination was considered an embarrassing event by 47%, painful by 35% and traumatic by 19%. Importantly, only 43% of the respondents stated they would notify the gynecologist in case of physical discomfort or pain during the examination. The quality of physician-to-patient communication was rated as the most important aspect of gynecologic examination, and showed a significant association with the general quality of the experience (levels of pain, embarrassment, and trauma). Matters relating to women’s privacy during gynecologic examination were also considered important. An option for a companion was rated as important by 64% of the respondents. Significant differences with large effect-sizes were found between the respondents’ preferences and their reports of the observed situation.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the need for establishing guidelines for gynecologic examinations, according to a patient-centered care approach. This study constitutes a first discourse on the subject of gynecologic examinations in Israel in order to provide an overview and initial insights, serving as a starting point for further specific and more in-depth research.

中文翻译：

---

必须听到的无声声音–妇女对妇科检查的看法

摘要

目的

从患者的角度分析妇科检查的感觉。

材料和方法

这项匿名的电子横断面调查旨在评估妇女在妇科检查期间的主观经历（疼痛，尴尬和创伤的程度），检查的方式以及妇女改善她们经历的建议。

结果

总共有6,508名女性回答了调查。这项检查被认为是令人尴尬的事件，占47％，痛苦的占35％，创伤的占19％。重要的是，只有43％的受访者表示，如果在检查期间出现身体不适或疼痛，他们会通知妇科医生。医患沟通的质量被认为是妇科检查的最重要方面，并且与经验的一般质量（疼痛，尴尬和创伤的程度）密切相关。妇科检查期间与妇女隐私有关的事项也被认为很重要。64％的受访者认为伴侣的选择很重要。在受访者的偏好和他们对观察到的情况的报告之间发现，效果大小差异显着。

结论

根据以患者为中心的护理方法，该发现强调了建立妇科检查指南的必要性。这项研究构成了以色列关于妇科检查的第一个论述，目的是提供概述和初步见识，作为进一步具体和深入研究的起点。