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

Abstract

Examined the attitudes and perceived current clinical practice of psychiatrists with regard to taking a sexual history and management of sexual dysfunction of patients. A questionnaire with two 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 was sent to old age and general consultant psychiatrists. Results found that general and old age consultant psychiatrists take a sexual history more frequently of middle-aged men than of elderly men. 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. Middle-aged men with sexual dysfunction are referred to a specialized clinic, while elderly men are referred to a community psychiatric nurse. 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. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)