Table 3.

Anal examination in general practice

Reasons GPs did not propose an anal examination	Patients (n = 75)
Another predominant cause of consultation	n = 24 (32%)
Lack of time	n = 21 (28%)
Patient already under treatment	n = 19 (25%)
Fear of embarrassing the patient	n = 4 (5%)
Patient directly addressed the proctologist	n = 4 (5%)
Other	n = 9 (1%)
Reasons GPs did not perform a digital rectal examination	Patients (n = 24)
Fear of causing pain	n = 10 (42%)
Absence of indication	n = 5 (21%)
Patient’s reluctance	n = 3 (12%)
Embarrassment	n = 2 (8%)
Lack of knowledge in proctology	n = 2 (8%)
Lack of time	n = 2 (8%)
Other	n = 5 (21%)
Reasons patients refused the anal examination	Patients (n = 32)
Discomfort	n = 11 (34%)
Anal symptoms considered of minor importance	n = 11 (34%)
Examination already performed for the symptom	n = 8 (25%)
Knowing the examination would be repeated by the specialist	n = 7 (22%)
Lack of time	n = 4 (12%)
Other	n = 2 (6%)