From: Prevalence of anal symptoms in general practice: a prospective study
Reasons GPs did not propose an anal examination | Patients (n = 75) |
Another predominant cause of consultation | n = 24 (32%) |
Lack of time | n = 21 (28%) |
Patient already under treatment | n = 19 (25%) |
Fear of embarrassing the patient | n = 4 (5%) |
Patient directly addressed the proctologist | n = 4 (5%) |
Other | n = 9 (1%) |
Reasons GPs did not perform a digital rectal examination | Patients (n = 24) |
Fear of causing pain | n = 10 (42%) |
Absence of indication | n = 5 (21%) |
Patient’s reluctance | n = 3 (12%) |
Embarrassment | n = 2 (8%) |
Lack of knowledge in proctology | n = 2 (8%) |
Lack of time | n = 2 (8%) |
Other | n = 5 (21%) |
Reasons patients refused the anal examination | Patients (n = 32) |
Discomfort | n = 11 (34%) |
Anal symptoms considered of minor importance | n = 11 (34%) |
Examination already performed for the symptom | n = 8 (25%) |
Knowing the examination would be repeated by the specialist | n = 7 (22%) |
Lack of time | n = 4 (12%) |
Other | n = 2 (6%) |