Sexual well-being in cancer and palliative care: an assessment of healthcare professionals' current practice and training needs.
BMJ Support Palliat Care
; 7(3): 251-254, 2017 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28255069
ABSTRACT
Sexual well-being is often significantly affected by cancer and its treatments. Previous research shows that a patient's sexual well-being is often overlooked in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES:
The aims of this study were twofold. First, to determine the current practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with cancer and palliative care patients in primary and secondary care settings in relation to sexual well-being. Second, to determine the education requirements of HCPs regarding the management of sexual well-being concerns of cancer/palliative care patients.METHODS:
An anonymous electronic questionnaire was sent to assess current practice and education needs relating to the management of sexual well-being in cancer and palliative care.RESULTS:
The majority of HCPs did not routinely assess sexual well-being in cancer and palliative care patients, with only 13.8% of secondary care staff, 7.9% of district nurses and 4% of general practitioners (GPs) routinely assessing it. The most frequent reason for non-assessment was that it was not the presenting symptom. The majority of respondents felt further support and training would be of benefit, including knowledge of specialist services patients could be referred to, written information for patients and access to assessment tools.CONCLUSIONS:
This survey identified that sexual well-being in cancer and palliative care patients is not routinely assessed with the majority of respondents stating that further support and training would be beneficial. The results of this questionnaire will be used to inform and develop sexual well-being training for HCPs working with cancer and palliative care patients.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cuidados Paliativos
/
Disfunções Sexuais Fisiológicas
/
Padrões de Prática Médica
/
Capacitação em Serviço
/
Neoplasias
Limite:
Humans
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article