Effect of an Educational-Psychological Intervention on Anxiety, Bodily Embarrassment, Judgment Concern, and Comfort in Female Patients who referred to a Male General Surgeon for Colorectal Examination

Introduction: Psychological issues are big barriers for female patients referring for colorectal examination. Some interventionsmight reduce these issues. This study aimed to determine the effect of an educational-pyschyological intervention onanxiety, bodily embarrassment, judgment concern, and comfort in female patients who referred to a male general surgeonfor colorectal examination.Methods: This clinical trial with a pre/posttest design was conducted in Imam Hassan Mojtaba Clinic, Darab, Iran. Totalof 110 female patients who referred to a male general surgeon for colorectal examination were included in this study. Theparticipants were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=55) and control (n=55) groups. The psychological trainingprogram was conducted for 60 minutes (30 minutes for examinations and 30 minutes for the psychological counseling).Beck Anxiety Inventory and Medical Embarrassment Questionnaires were used. The data were analyzed using chi-square,independent and paired t-test.Results: After the intervention, a significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups in termsof bodily embarrassment and comfort. In addition, a significant difference was found in the intervention group regarding themean differences of anexity, bodily embarrassment, judgment concern, and comfort scores before and after the intervention(p<0.001).Conclusion: The findings showed that the educational-psychological intervention reduced anxiety, bodily embarrassment,and judgment concern, and it improved comfort in female patients who referred to the male general surgeon for colorectalexamination. Hence, this intervention might be used in primary, secondary and tertiary health centers to educate patientswhen referring to a male surgeon.