Assessing
Patient Satisfaction Regarding Discussion of Erectile
Dysfunction (ED)
Pat
Meade-D'Alisera, BSN, CRC, CURN
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
Arelene Keng Lee, PharmD
Pfizer
Problem
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
becomes more common as men age and increases in prevalence
in patients with concomitant medical conditions, such as
hypertension and diabetes1.
Evidence
Asking patients about
ED could assist in earlier diagnosis and treatment in patients
with these comorbidities1. Patients seeking treatment
for ED with no history of comorbidities associated with
ED should be screened1. A survey revealed
that 50% of providers did not routinely question patients
about ED, although patients preferred providers to initiate
conversation2.
Strategy
Nurses sought to evaluate
whether ED was discussed with patients by using a patient
survey developed with input from providers and literature1.
Practice change
Nurses were encouraged
to routinely ask patients about ED and address their concerns.
Surveys were distributed after each patient visit.
Evaluation
Of the 110 surveys
collected, 95 patients had at least one comorbidity associated
with ED. The majority of patients (72%) discussed ED with
providers. Sixty-eight percent of patients were satisfied
with this discussion. Eighty-eight percent of patients
reported ED concerns. Eighty-one percent of patients felt
comfortable discussing ED with their provider.
Recommendations
Nurses should
initiate ED discussion with patients, as patients may
have concerns about ED, but are hesitant or not comfortable
initiating discussion.
Reference
1 Sadovsky R, Miller T, Hackett G. Three-year
update of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) efficacy and safety.
IJCP 2001;55(2)115-128.
2McCullough et al. Achieving therapy optimization
with sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in patients with erectile
dysfunction. Urology 2002;60(Suppl
2B):28-38.
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