Talking about premature ejaculation in primary care: the GET UP cluster randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundPremature ejaculation is the most common sexual dysfunction in men. A previous qualitative study identified six communication strategies described by general practitioners (GP) to tackle this topic during consultations.AimTo determine whether these six strategies are more effective than usual care for promoting discussion about premature ejaculation by patients with their GP.Design and SettingCluster randomised controlled trial, stratified in four French regions, with an intervention group (GPs who received a training session on the six communication strategies) and a control group (routine medical care). Participants were 18-80-year-old men consulting for a sexual, urogenital or psychological reason.MethodThe efficacy of the training session in communication skills, compared with usual care, was evaluated by determining the percentage of patients who discussed premature ejaculation with their GP (primary outcome). The percentage of enrolled patients with premature ejaculation was calculated using as cut-off a score >9 of the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool filled in by the enrolled patients at week four after the consultation. The quality-of-life changes were evaluated as the SF-12 scale score difference between baseline and week four post-consultation.Results130 patients were included by 32 GPs (n=16 in the intervention and n=16 in the control group). The percentage of patients who discussed about premature ejaculation was higher in the intervention than in the control group (42% vs. 4.9%, absolute difference = 37% 95%CI [24% to 50%], p <0.001).ConclusionsTraining GPs in communication strategies about premature ejaculation improves its detection.ClinicalTrials.govNCT02378779, date of registration: 03/02/2015.

Men’s views on causes and consequences of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation in a primary care population: a qualitative study

“…[ 15 ] The proportion of males who discuss PE with their GP can be greatly increased by even a simple measure such as training GP:s in communication strategies on this subject. [ 16 ]…”