Air Force Health Care Providers Incidence of Performing Testicular Exams and Instruction of Testicular Self-Exam

摘要

The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of Air Force Health Care Provider's performance of testicular exams and their incidence of teaching testicular self-exam (TSE) within an Air Force healthcare setting. The study is also designed to determine any significant differences among providers, Family Practice Physicians (MD's), Nurse Practitioners (NP's), and Physicians Assistants (PA's), regarding the incidence of performing the above health preventive measures. This is a descriptive/comparative study, and is guided by the theoretical framework by Leavell and Clark of preventive medicine. A random sample of Health Care Provider's was surveyed using a 27 item modified questionnaire from a study done previously by Misener and Fuller. Analysis of data revealed that 58% of MD's, 68% of PA's, and 57% of NP's are performing testicular exams on their patients during routine physicals or sports physicals. Additionally, 80% of MD's, 84% of PA's, and 96% of NP's routinely instruct young men regarding TSE. There were no statistically significant differences among providers in either their incidence of performing testicular exams or their incidence of teaching TSE. Although these percentages do not meet the American Cancer Society recommendation for provider testicular exams, they are higher than previous studies have shown. This study is relevant to the Air Force because there are more than 300,000 young men under-the age of 35 years currently on active duty, who fall into the age group at highest risk for testicular cancer.