Pelvic examination: a survey of British practice.

Of 850 consultant gynaecologists in Great Britain who were asked about their preferred method of pelvic examination, 777 (91%) replied including 87 women. Of these, 574 (74%) regularly choose the dorsal position both for bimanual and speculum examination although 227 of this group use the lateral position in some circumstances. The other 203 (26%) preferred the left lateral for routine speculum examination and 100 of them also regularly used that position for bimanual palpation. There were marked regional variations in clinical practice, the lateral position being broadly more favoured in the South than in the North. The age of the gynaecologist was an important factor but practical clinical considerations appeared to be less important than habit and upbringing in determining choice of method.