Are psychiatrists guilty of "ageism" when it comes to taking a sexual history?

OBJECTIVE

To determine current perceived practice of consultant psychiatrists regarding taking a sexual history and management of sexual dysfunction of their patients.

DESIGN

A postal questionnaire survey.

PARTICIPANTS

A group of old age and general consultant psychiatrists.

MEASURES: A questionnaire with two different case vignettes describing an elderly male complaining of low mood (the other vignette described a middle-aged man with the same complaint) and questions regarding taking a sexual history and management of sexual dysfunction.

RESULTS

Response rate of 61% was obtained. Consultant psychiatrists (general and old age) take a sexual history much more frequently of middle-aged men than of elderly men (p<0.001). There are no statistically significant differences between the two groups of psychiatrists in their psychiatric assessment regarding taking sexual history and the management of sexual dysfunction in elderly men (p>0.05). Middle-aged men with sexual dysfunction are referred to a specialized clinic, whilst elderly men are referred to a community psychiatric nurse.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that taking a sexual history is often omitted in the psychiatric assessment of elderly men. Elderly men with sexual dysfunction do not receive appropriate referral and treatment. Human sexuality and particularly aged sexuality is an area that requires more attention in psychiatric training.