Original Investigation

Pelvic and Digital Rectal Examinations to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

JAMA Network Open 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.9267

April 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

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What are the practices and attitudes of urologists toward pelvic examination for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms?This qualitative, mixed-methods study surveyed 74 urologists and trainees and found that male clinicians were significantly less likely than female clinicians to perform pelvic examinations for female patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.These findings suggest that female patients are less likely to receive a comprehensive examination when seeing a male clinician and that barriers to pelvic examination need to be addressed for female patients to receive optimal care.

Corresponding Author: Kathryn McLeod, MBBS, MSurgEd, West Coast Urology, 83 Myers St, Suite 1, Level 1, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia (rzetelski.west@gmail.com).

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