Vulvodynia attitudes in a sample of Canadian post-graduate medical trainees

Abstract

Physicians play a critical role in addressing sexual health in medical practice, including pain during intercourse. Vulvodynia is a prevalent cause of pain, however, related training is limited and variable. In addition, physician attitudes toward pain and sexuality may affect behaviour and therefore patient outcomes. This study's objectives were to: 1) determine whether post-graduate trainees hold more positive attitudes toward women presenting with vulvovaginal pain with (versus without) an identifiable cause; and 2) examine attitudinal predictors of comfort treating vulvodynia and attitudes toward patients with this presentation. Residents in Canadian Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) and Family Medicine (FM) programs participated in an online survey (N=99). Respondents completed questionnaires related to demographics, sexuality-related training, sexual attitudes, and comfort treating and attitudes toward vulvovaginal pain and its symptoms. Residents reported significantly more positive attitudes toward patients with visible pathology versus no identifiable cause for vulvovaginal pain, regardless of medical specialty, p<.001. In OBGYN residents, general comfort discussing sexuality in medical practice significantly predicted comfort treating vulvodynia and its symptoms (p<.001), and attitudes toward women with vulvodynia (p<.05). Demographic, training, and attitudinal variables did not significantly predict vulvodynia outcome measures in FM residents. This study of medical residents identified different attitudes based on vulvovaginal pain presentation, and identified predictors of attitudes and comfort treating vulvodynia in OBGYN residents. Findings suggest pathways by which health care experiences may influence outcomes in this population, and have important implications for resident training.