Study Finds Gap in Pelvic Exam Practices - Scorecard - MDSpire

Study Finds Gap in Pelvic Exam Practices

Study suggests gap in pelvic exam practices and identifies barriers in assessing women with urinary symptoms.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • April 29, 2026

  • 3 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Male Physicians May Perform Fewer Pelvic Exams

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionLower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)
Key MechanismsDifferences in examination practices between male and female physicians.
Target PopulationFemale patients with LUTS
Care SettingUrology clinics in Australia and New Zealand

Key Highlights

  • Only 8.7% of male physicians routinely perform pelvic exams compared to 85.7% of female physicians.
  • Barriers include limited access to chaperones, time constraints, and concerns about patient discomfort.
  • Fear of medicolegal risks and lack of training contribute to lower rates of pelvic exams by male physicians.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Pelvic examinations are recommended for evaluating patients with LUTS.

Management

  • Address barriers to pelvic examination to optimize care for female patients.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Regular assessment of examination practices among urologists.

Risks

  • Potential medicolegal risks associated with pelvic examinations.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Female patients experiencing LUTS.

Pelvic examinations may identify findings not apparent from medical history alone.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Encourage focused training for male physicians on pelvic examinations.
  • Increase expectations for routine pelvic exams in female patients with LUTS.

References

Original Source(s)

Study Finds Gap in Pelvic Exam Practices

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • April 29, 2026

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