Isaac Effiong
Mayo Clinic, United States
Title: Perceptions and practices of family physicians in Mayo Clinic Florida regarding the initiation of discussion and giving of advice to patients on safe sex practices
Biography
Biography: Isaac Effiong
Abstract
The reported increase of cases of sexually-transmitted disease (STD) in the United States is fast becoming a health challenge in the country (CDC, 2016). Family physicians can play an important role in preventing new cases of STD in their patients by initiating discussion and advising patients on safe sexual practices during sexual health and non-sexual health consultations. A number of barriers may prevent a family physician from initiating discussion and advising patients on safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible barriers to the initiation of discussion and advising of patients on safe sexual practices by Mayo Clinic Florida family physician. Data for the study was collected by written surveys. The survey assessed respondent gender, age group, level of medical education and possible barriers to their initiation of discussion and giving of advice to patients on safe sexual practices. With the study, it is hoped that improved knowledge of the perceptions and practices of family physicians in Mayo Clinic-Florida regarding the initiation of discussion and giving of advice to patients on safe sexual practices will arise. The knowledge may, in turn, contribute to better patient care, as the Continuing Medical Education or Clinical Training Program of family physicians may be adjusted to better prepare them to initiate discussion and give advice to patients on safe sexual practices.