Perceptions and experiences of Forensic Medicine Department service recipients and providers during male sexual dysfunction assessment following filing for divorce: a qualitative study in Iran

Divorce has become a global issue that is increasing in many industrial and developing countries, including Iran. One of the significant reasons for divorce is sexual dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of Forensic Medicine Department service recipients and providers in evaluating male sexual dysfunction following filing for divorce.

This study was a qualitative study that was analyzed through a content analysis approach. Purposive sampling was done with maximum variation until data saturation was reached. Individual interviews were used to collect data. The data were collected through in-depth quasi-structured interviews with 20 service recipients and 9 service providers of the Forensic Medicine Department in Tehran from January 2022 to March 2022.

The data analysis led to the extraction of two main categories, including existing challenges of the forensic medical system in the process of sexual assessment with 3 sub-categories (absence of the plaintiff in the assessment process, sharing a common room with other clients, the psychosocial pressure associated with a Rigi scan test) and features of desirable evaluation services with 5 sub-categories (service delivery to couples, service delivery by observing ethical principles, confidentiality and human dignity, comprehensive physical-psychological-communicative assessment, service delivery that emphasizes informing couples of the path ahead, provision of services if the authenticity of the sexual problem is proven).

Our research results indicate that the national Forensic Medical Department faces certain challenges regarding the assessment and diagnosis of sexual dysfunctions among divorce applicants. Based on these results, certain modifications should be made to the evaluation procedures of these applicants. Forensic medicine policymakers and decision-makers can utilize the results of this study to address the existent shortcomings and even prevent the increase in divorce rates due to sexual dysfunctions by developing appropriate guidelines.