Use of the Delphi sorting technique to establish a core sexual history

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a core sexual history to be used as a supplementary tool to assist sexual health physicians assess new clients attending a sexual health centre. Eight experts in sexual health medicine employed the Delphi technique and sexual history items from a previous study to generate a core sexual history. The core history contained 15 questions for men and women, with three additional specific questions for men and five for women. The current state of the clients' sexual health was explored (rather than a client's history of sexual behaviour) and three months (compared with 12 months and lifetime) came out strongly as the preferred timeframe for asking clients' behavioural questions. This core history may be useful in many clinics in Australia and New Zealand as its development was based on expert clinical experience of respected authorities within the field of sexual health medicine.