(350) Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge and Comfortability of Medical Trainees in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Genito-pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder
Authors: Negris O , Dawson M , Kohut Jackson A , Conrado J , Henry V , Horwitz R , Rubin RS , Uloko M 
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) is a common condition affecting up to 25% of the US population. Despite its prevalence, significant barriers exist for patients to obtain appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Lack of uniform education in vulvar anatomy, physiology, and vulvar pain conditions in medical schools for trainees may be a contributing factor in the delay to diagnosis for patients. The vulvar examination is pivotal in diagnosing GPPPD but is often omitted, despite its importance, due to shortcomings in medical education. The lack of formal education may leave many healthcare workers feeling unprepared to care for their patients' sexual health.

Objective

Our study aims to assess the fundamental knowledge of medical trainees who treat vulvar health in the diagnosis and treatment of GPPPD. We also aim to assess the knowledge and confidence of physician residents on how to conduct a comprehensive vulvar examination.

Methods

This cross-sectional analytical survey study uses Qualtrics to administer the survey after obtaining IRB approval. The target audience includes urology residents, obstetrics and gynecology residents, dermatology residents, internal medicine residents, family medicine residents, emergency medicine residents, and medical students. The survey link and a brief description of the project were emailed to all residency program directors in these specialties who had valid email addresses provided in the FREIDA American Medical Association Residency Database. Program directors were instructed to share the link to the anonymous online survey with their current resident cohorts.

Results

Survey collection is currently ongoing and formal results are forthcoming. We hypothesize that the results will demonstrate that resident physicians in urology, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, internal medicine, family medicine, and emergency medicine as well as medical students are not receiving instruction or counseling on vulvar anatomy, how to diagnose common vulvar conditions, or how to treat common vulvar conditions. Each of these shortcomings significantly contributes to the lack of access and misdiagnosis that patients with GPPPD experience which leads to overutilization of the healthcare system and significant disruption in patient’s quality of life. We aim to show the disparities that exist in order to affect a systematic change and standardization in how we teach vulvar sexual health curriculum nationwide.

Conclusions

It is crucial to assess these knowledge gaps in training to create educational tools to alleviate these medical education shortcomings. We believe that our findings will provide evidence that will warrant targeted interventions, such as the creation of a nationwide standardized curriculum of medical school training in vulvar anatomy and physiology. Furthermore, we hope this work serves as a catalyst for increased cultural competency training for medical trainees to better address structural barriers for patients with GPPPD to obtain health care with the goal of effectively increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the healthcare landscape.

Disclosure

No.