Will a patient information brochure increase acceptance of Omani women with varicose veins to be examined by a male surgeon ?- A prospective randomized single blinded study.

Varicose veins are not uncommon among Omani women. As currently there are no female vascular surgeons, it has been noticed in our outpatient clinic that a number of them are reluctant to be examined by a male vascular surgeon, have a duplex ultrasound done and therefore a management plan cannot be made in this subset. This study is a first of its kind in Oman, looking at the impact of a patient information booklet about varicose veins etiology, symptoms, signs, assessment and management, on the attitude of a female patient's acceptance towards examination by a male surgeon in the presence of a chaperone.