Are estimations of female patients’ need of hymen restoration and virginity certificate value-impregnated? Empirical study of physicians’ attitudes

Aim

The aim of the present study was to examine whether physicians’ estimations of medical needs are influenced by the physicians’ own personal values.

Design and method

We used a vignette where a young female requests hymen restoration or virginity certificate due to honour-related threats. We asked whether or not the participating physicians would under certain circumstances be prepared to help the young females. We also asked what would happen to their own trust and what they estimated would happen to the general public's trust in healthcare if performing such operations or writing such certificates was generally accepted.

Results

The majority of those whose own trust would not be influenced [59.7% (95% CI 55.2–64.2)] were found among the respondents who stated that they were prepared to help the young females, as against those [13.5% (95% CI 10–16.5)] stating that they would help under no circumstances. We found an association between those whose own trust would decrease and those stating that they would help under no circumstances [OR 90 (95% CI 12.2–664.3)].

Conclusion

The results indicate that factual aspects are influenced by physicians’ own values. If factual aspects such as estimation of the patient's trustworthiness and medical needs are impregnated by physicians’ personal values, there is a risk of arbitrariness when deciding whether to help young females in distress. In order to avoid arbitrariness in decision-making we suggest that consensus in the area is developed.