TY - JOUR
T1 - Five years after the launch of Viagra in Korea
T2 - Changes in perceptions of erectile dysfunction treatment by physicians, patients, and the patients' spouses
AU - Kim, Sae Chul
AU - Park, Hye Sook
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by Pfizer Korea Inc.
PY - 2006/1
Y1 - 2006/1
N2 - Introduction. When Viagra was first launched in Korea in 1999, there were high expectations for its efficacy, and strong concerns regarding its safety and potential for misuse. Purpose. To research changes in perceptions of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment 5 years after Viagra was launched. Materials and Methods. Participants in the study were drawn from six provinces in Korea. They were 120 physicians, 80 patients with ED who had been treated with Viagra, and 40 women who knew that their husbands were being treated with Viagra. The study was conducted using a random face-to-face interview and a questionnaire. Results. Most physicians responded that since the launch of Viagra, discussions on the topic of sex are more acceptable (92%), and the number of patients seeking medical treatment for ED has increased (92%). They now have a better understanding of ED (98%). They are more confident of treatment (96%), more interested in identifying ED patients (72%), and more comfortable at initiating discussions on ED with patients (80%). Prior to the launch of Viagra, 65% of internal medicine/ family medicine doctors did not prescribe any special treatment for ED. However, after Viagra became available, 92% of these doctors prescribed oral medication for ED, thus confirming their position as primary physicians for ED treatment. One of the most distinct changes in perceptions related to Viagra is the higher level of confidence shown by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses in the safety of the drug. Conclusion. Five years after the launch of Viagra, the social environment has changed, making discussions of sex more acceptable. A larger number of patients now seek medical treatment for ED, and there is an increased acknowledgment for ED treatment by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses. Moreover, these parties are now more confident about the safety of Viagra.
AB - Introduction. When Viagra was first launched in Korea in 1999, there were high expectations for its efficacy, and strong concerns regarding its safety and potential for misuse. Purpose. To research changes in perceptions of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment 5 years after Viagra was launched. Materials and Methods. Participants in the study were drawn from six provinces in Korea. They were 120 physicians, 80 patients with ED who had been treated with Viagra, and 40 women who knew that their husbands were being treated with Viagra. The study was conducted using a random face-to-face interview and a questionnaire. Results. Most physicians responded that since the launch of Viagra, discussions on the topic of sex are more acceptable (92%), and the number of patients seeking medical treatment for ED has increased (92%). They now have a better understanding of ED (98%). They are more confident of treatment (96%), more interested in identifying ED patients (72%), and more comfortable at initiating discussions on ED with patients (80%). Prior to the launch of Viagra, 65% of internal medicine/ family medicine doctors did not prescribe any special treatment for ED. However, after Viagra became available, 92% of these doctors prescribed oral medication for ED, thus confirming their position as primary physicians for ED treatment. One of the most distinct changes in perceptions related to Viagra is the higher level of confidence shown by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses in the safety of the drug. Conclusion. Five years after the launch of Viagra, the social environment has changed, making discussions of sex more acceptable. A larger number of patients now seek medical treatment for ED, and there is an increased acknowledgment for ED treatment by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses. Moreover, these parties are now more confident about the safety of Viagra.
KW - Erectile dysfunction
KW - Perception
KW - Treatment
KW - Viagra
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645728977&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.00137.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.00137.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 16409226
AN - SCOPUS:33645728977
SN - 1743-6095
VL - 3
SP - 132
EP - 137
JO - Journal of Sexual Medicine
JF - Journal of Sexual Medicine
IS - 1
ER -