The standard clinic process and sexual health in primary care

An estimated one in seven adults has visited a sexual health clinic. Many are asymptomatic, but reasons for attending are often emotive. This chapter describes attitudes, emotions, demographics, and characteristics of patients presenting to GUM services. Sexual practices and relationships are described, including medical and lay terminology. The GUM consultation process involves a detailed sexual history. An explanation of male and female genital examination includes when examination is appropriate, the importance of always offering a chaperone, and details of how to perform genital and relevant extra-genital examination, with detailed pelvic diagrams. This chapter gives an overview of management and review of patients, as well as levels of service provision within the community and specialist services.