Information from health care professionals about sexual function and coexistence after myocardial infarction: A Swedish national survey

Ivarsson, Bodil; Fridlund, Bengt; Sjöberg, Trygve

doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2009.01.001

Cited by 60 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…10 Furthermore, a US study on nurses working with patients after a myocardial infarction and national surveys in Ireland and Sweden in cardiac rehabilitation centers and coronary care unit teams have shown comparable findings. 11,14,16 It can be concluded that not discussing sexual health and providing sexual counseling in different cardiac settings is a general problem that does not only relates to HF nurses, but also other cardiac healthcare providers. This limited implementation of sexual counseling in practice may rightfully be called a concern, because a considerable number of HF patients experience sexual difficulties which have a negative effect on their own quality of life and that of their partners.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What keeps nurses from the sexual counseling of patients with heart failure?

et al. 2012

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OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the current practice of discussing sexual health by heart failure (HF) nurses, and to explore which barriers prevent nurses from discussing sexuality. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMETHODS: The Nurses Survey of Sexual Counseling of Myocardial Infarction Patients and a list of barriers were used to form a questionnaire, which was sent to all HF clinics (n = 122) in the Netherlands. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanRESULTS: The majority (75%) of nurses (n = 146) felt a certain responsibility to discuss patients sexual health. However, in practice, 61% of the nurses rarely or never addressed sexuality. Barriers that prevented nurses from addressing sexuality and that differed between nurses who do (n = 58) and do not (n = 88) discuss sexuality include a lack of organizational policy (49% vs. 79%, respectively; P andlt; .001) and lack of training (43% vs. 80%, respectively; P andlt; .001), and not knowing how to initiate the subject (24% vs. 72%, respectively; P andlt; .001). Nurses preferred to address sexuality during a follow-up visit or when discussing medication. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanCONCLUSIONS: Although HF nurses feel responsible for discussing sexuality, this topic is rarely addressed in clinics. Several barriers were identified, relating to personal, patient, and organizational factors.

Funding Agencies|Netherlands Heart Foundation|081201/KI/RW/DM|

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What keeps nurses from the sexual counseling of patients with heart failure?

et al. 2012

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Funding Agencies|Netherlands Heart Foundation|081201/KI/RW/DM|

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“…A study by Ivarsson et al [39] showed that Swedish patients do not receive adequate information and support from the healthcare professionals about sexuality in relation to heart disease. It is common for healthcare professionals to feel uncomfortable to starting a dialogue about sexuality.…”

Section: Practical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Swedish Version of the Watts Sexual Function Questionnaire (WSFQ) in Persons with Heart Disease: A Pilot Study

Kristofferzon

Johansson

Brännström

et al. 2010

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

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Background: As part of preparation for a Swedish multicentre study, exploring sexual and married life in patients with myocardial infarction and their partners, a Swedish validated instrument was required. Aims: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a Swedish version of the Watts Sexual Function Questionnaire (WSFQ) among persons with a heart disease. Methods: A convenience sample of 79 persons (47 men and 32 women) living with a heart disease was recruited from the members of the National Association of Heart and Lung Patients. They completed a Swedish version of the WSFQ on two occasions. Results: Two separate factor analyses each revealed a two-factor structure on both occasions: "Sexual appetite" and "Sexual expectations" with gender-neutral questions and "Sexual sensitiveness" and "Sexual ability" with gender-specific questions. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.48 to 0.86 and test-retest values for all but one question exceeded 0.70. Conclusions: The Swedish version of the WSFQ showed good validity and stability and acceptable internal homogeneity. Extended evaluations of the questionnaire are recommended.

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“…Health personnel do not currently address sexual issues on a regular basis with post MI patients, especially not with spouses [9]. One reason can be that nurses are unsure about how to deal with questions and feel that they do not have enough knowledge about the subject [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Male Partners' Experiences of the Intimate Relationships after a First Myocardial Infarction

Arenhall

Kristofferzon

Fridlund

et al. 2011

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

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Background: Stress in the intimate relationship is found to worsen the prognosis in women suffering from myocardial infarction (MI). Little is known about how male spouses experience the intimate relationship. Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the experience of men's intimate relationships in connection to and after their female partner's first MI. Methods: An explorative and qualitative design was used. Interviews were conducted with 16 men having a partner who the year before had suffered a first MI. The data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results: Three themes emerged: masculine image challenged; life takes another direction; and life remains unchanged. The men were forced to deal with an altered image of themselves as men, and as sexual beings. They were hesitant to approach their spouse in the same way as before the MI because they viewed her to be more fragile. The event also caused them to consider their own lifestyle, changing towards healthier dietary and exercise habits. Conclusions: After their spouse's MI, men experienced a challenge to their masculine image. They viewed their spouse as being more fragile, which led the men to be gentler in sexual intimacy and more hesitant to invite sexual activity. This knowledge about how male spouses experience the intimate relationship could be helpful for health personnel in hospitals and primary care when they interact with couples where the woman suffers from cardiac disease or other chronic disorders.

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Information from health care professionals about sexual function and coexistence after myocardial infarction: A Swedish national survey

Cited by 60 publications

References 20 publications

What keeps nurses from the sexual counseling of patients with heart failure?

What keeps nurses from the sexual counseling of patients with heart failure?

Evaluation of a Swedish Version of the Watts Sexual Function Questionnaire (WSFQ) in Persons with Heart Disease: A Pilot Study

The Male Partners' Experiences of the Intimate Relationships after a First Myocardial Infarction

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