In the summer of 2016, I conducted a survey to gather initial information for a presentation I did at the Stanford University Medicine X Conference back at the beginning of my sexuality education work. (It was also back when I was using my birth name.)
It recently occurred to me that I never really published that data, aside from the discussion of it at the conference. So, let’s fix that.
Survey Results
I have listed the results of this initial survey below. You can also view the PDF from the survey host. There were 220 participants, and I’ve listed how many skipped certain questions.
Please note that HCP is used for ‘healthcare provider’ after the initial question.
1) Have any of your physicians or other healthcare providers talked to you about sex or sexual issues?
- No – 43.18%
- Yes, but only an HCP focusing on that part of the body or sexual function – 30.91%
- Yes, a non-sexuality-focused specialist – 11.36%
- Yes, a primary care physician or provider – 14.55%
2) Do your HCPs seem comfortable asking you questions related to sex?
- Yes – 17.81%
- Yes, but only in the context of specific care – 40.64%
- No – 41.55%
1 respondent skipped the above question.
3) Do you feel comfortable asking your HCPs about sex or sex-related function?
- Yes, any of them – 19.27%
- Yes, maybe one or two of them – 55.05%
- Not at all – 25.69%
2 respondents skipped the above question.
4) Do your HCPs try to answer questions you have about sex and related things?
- Yes – 51.38%
- No, but they refer me to others who can help – 12.39%
- No – 36.24%
2 respondents skipped the above question.
5) Have any HCPs discussed effects on sex or fertility your medications or treatments may have?
- Yes – 41.36%
- No, but they referred me to others – 2.27%
- No – 56.36%
6) Has any HCP discussed effects on sex or fertility your diagnoses may have?
- Yes – 29.09%
- No, but they have referred me to others – 2.27%
- No – 68.64%
7) When sex or sexual issues are discussed in an appointment, who usually brings it up first?
- HCP – 14.49%
- Me – 82.71%
- My spouse or partner(s) – 2.34%
- My friend or family member – 0.47%
6 respondents skipped the above question.
8) Are your HCPs receptive to hearing concerns about your Quality of Life (QOL)?
- Yes – 38.36%
- Not really – 21%
- It depends on the context – 40.64%
1 respondent skipped the above question.
9) When Quality of Life (QOL) issues are discussed in an appointment, who usually brings it up first?
- HCP – 16.36%
- Me – 80.45%
- My spouse or partner(s) – 1.82%
- My friend or family member – 1.36%
10) Where do you feel most comfortable getting information on sex/sexuality in regards to illness/disability?
- HCPs – 15.14%
- Sex educators – 11.93%
- Organizations such as Planned Parenthood – 4.13%
- Progressive sex shops – 3.67%
- Patient-drive organizations – 29.82%
- Other patients – 35.32%
2 respondents skipped the above question.
Future of This Data
Initially, this data was only collected for the presentation I referenced earlier. However, revisiting it has me thinking about pulling it into the research I’m doing for my grant at The Effing Foundation. With the help of lab mates in the Trans CARE Lab, I’ll be working through that data shortly. I’m really excited to move forward with showing some valuable data on the patient-provider interactions we have around sex.
For those unfamiliar with the project, the current end result will be a guide for patients to utilize when talking to HCPs about sexual health issues. In the future, I hope to conduct a similar survey for HCPs and use that to create a guide for them. Eventually, then, that will culminate in something that providers and patients can use in the exam room together.