Sexual Health: Exploring Patient Needs and Healthcare Provider Comfort and Knowledge

Abstract

The majority of survey respondents reported on the importance of discussing sexual concerns with patients, lacked sexual health training, and were uncomfortable discussing sexual health with patients. Focus group participants wanted access to timely information during treatment, online educational resources, and brochures and handouts; involvement of significant others; support from providers, peers, and survivors; and expert consultation.

Healthcare professional perceived barriers and facilitators to discussing sexual wellbeing with patients after diagnosis of chronic illness: A mixed-methods evidence synthesis

“…Personal discomfort was also cited as a factor even when taking into account professional factors. Some healthcare professionals felt that discomfort and lack of confidence could be a barrier, even with sufficient knowledge and understanding of the issue [36,49,40,50,51]. Sex was also often referred to as 'risky' or 'taboo' subject [33,38] with meaningful discussion often limited even when healthcare professionals were normally able to talk about other 'sensitive' issues [32,44].…”

“…Not wanting to cause the patient embarrassment was cited as being an equally important potential barrier as the issues of personal embarrassment outlined in the previous section. From survey data, this issue was seen as a barrier in around 45-50% of respondents [44,47,51,55]. A small number acknowledged that the patient discomfort they thought might be a barrier could actually reflect their own embarrassment [35].…”

“…Further observations were linked to a perception that patients would support this view since they would be primarily concerned with their prognosis over and above more 'personal issues' [34,37]. These views were not only limited to the more acute phases of care but were also discussed by other participants as a 'quality of life' issue which is also more important in the longer term (after the treatment phase); and which, if raised during treatment, might cause a patient to question the healthcare professional's priorities [42,51]. These perceptions were however, not universal and others stated strongly that it is critical to ensure all patients have the opportunity to discuss concerns at various time-points in their treatment.…”

Evaluation of Factors Affecting Sexual Activity and Sexuality-Related Quality of Life in Different Stages of Pregnancy

“…In the studies conducted, it was shown that the SQoL of pregnant women whose spouses are primary school graduates is lower when compared with pregnant women having spouses with high school graduates or higher education level (1,3). In our study, we did not evaluate the education level of the spouses of pregnant women, we evaluated the relationship between the educational levels and sexual functions of pregnant women and found that the educational status of pregnant women had no effect on the SQoL or sexual functions.…”

“…Sexual life is an important part of an individual's health and quality of life (1,2). Sexual life includes gender, sexual identities and roles, sexual orientations, eroticism, pleasure, physical closeness and continuity of generation, and is an essential element of human life (3).…”