Teenagers' choices regarding the presence of family members during the examination of genitalia.
This study was designed to assess the outcome of offering teenagers the option of being accompanied by a family member during examinations involving the genitalia. Data were collected from patients' first visits, in an 18-month-period, to an adolescent clinic serving a Black, inner-city population. Of 1358 such patients visits (73% females), 550 (40.5%) patients were accompanied to the clinic by a family member. Chi-square analysis revealed: 1) for both sexes, the youngest teenagers (age 11-13 years) were accompanied significantly more often than those aged 14-16 years, who in turn were accompanied significantly more often than the oldest group (age 17-20 years); and 2) although males tended to be accompanied more often than females, this effect was significant only for teenagers aged 14-16 years. Of the 550 accompanied patients, 207 had a genital examination and 190 of these were offered the option of having a family member present. Fifty percent of the patients accepted; there was no significant relationship between patients' age or sex and acceptance. Physicians judged the outcome of the 94 cases with family member present. Having the family member present was viewed as beneficial for the patient and/or the physician in 86% of the cases, and 13% were neutral (no benefit/no problem).