Acceptability of physical examination by male doctors in medical care: Taking breast palpation as an example.

In this study, we conducted an investigation among medical workers, patients and college students concerning their acceptability of breast palpation performed by male doctors (hereinafter referred to as "acceptability", or "the examination", respectively, if not otherwise indicated), to get the information about their acceptability and reasons for accepting or declining the examination among the three population. A questionnaire investigation was conducted in 500 patients with breast diseases, 700 students of medical colleges, and 280 medical workers working in hospitals. The subjects were asked to choose between two options: accept or do not accept (the examination). The subjects were asked to fill out the questionnaire forms on free and anonymous basis and the questionnaire forms were collected on spot, immediately after completion. The questionnaires collected were coded, sorted out and checked. Data of the eligible questionnaires were input into Epidata software and analyzed by SPSS. Upon the establishment of the database, the intra-group data were tested by utilizing χ(2) test. Among 1480 questionnaires, 1293 (90.41%) questionnaires were retrieved. Our results showed that 56.78% of patients reported that they could accept breast palpation by male doctors. About 59.66% of medical staff expressed their acceptance of the examination, but only 35.03% of students said the examination. On the basis of this study, we were led to conclude that the examination is not well accepted by different populations, and therefore, (1) medical professionals and administrators should pay attention to the gender-related ethics in their practice and the feeling of patients should be respected when medical examinations involve private or sensitive body parts; (2) to this end, related departments should be properly staffed with doctors of both sexes, and this is especially true of the departments involving the examination or treatment of private or sensitive body parts; (3) health education should, among other things, include helping female patients to overcome the fear and anxiety in such examinations. This is of great importance since some women may miss the opportunity to get timely diagnosis.