Effective patient-provider communication about sexual concerns in breast cancer: a qualitative study.
Support Care Cancer
; 25(10): 3199-3207, 2017 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28451911
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Breast cancer patients commonly experience sexual concerns, yet rarely discuss them with clinicians. The study examined patient and provider experiences and preferences related to communication about breast cancer-related sexual concerns with the goal of informing intervention development.METHODS:
Patient data (n = 28) were derived from focus groups and interviews with partnered and unpartnered women treated for breast cancer reporting sexual concerns. Provider data (n = 11) came from interviews with breast cancer oncologists and nurse practitioners. Patient and provider data were analyzed separately using the framework method of qualitative analysis.RESULTS:
Findings revealed individual and institutional barriers to effective communication about sexual concerns and highlighted key communication facilitators (e.g., a positive patient-provider relationship, patient communication as a driver of provider communication, and vice versa). Patients expressed preferences for open, collaborative communication; providers expressed preferences for focused intervention targets (identifying concerns, offering resources/referrals) and convenient format. A model of effective communication of sexual concerns was developed to inform communication interventions.CONCLUSIONS:
Findings suggest that to improve patient-provider communication about sexual concerns, knowledge and skills-based interventions that activate patients and that equip providers for effective discussions about sexual concerns are needed, as are institutional changes that could incentivize such discussions.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Relações Médico-Paciente
/
Comportamento Sexual
/
Neoplasias da Mama
/
Comunicação
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article