title: Vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy--the nursing role in teaching self-injection therapy.
abstract: Our physician-nurse team management of a program in vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy to treat male impotence has provided a high degree of patient and partner satisfaction. Nurses participate in the assessment of the ability of a patient or partner to master the self-injection technique, and the potential of a couple for compliance with and commitment to the program, all of which are key factors for successful home therapy. A nurse also teaches the self-injection technique. Audiovisual materials and handouts are used as teaching aids to ensure that complete and consistent information is given. The patient or partner is required to perform a self-injection under nursing supervision before a prescription for home use written. Initial followup visits are scheduled with a nurse at 1 to 2-week intervals. At these visits the nurse identifies possible patient errors in self-injection technique, dose or frequency, and answers questions about the therapy. After the couple has mastered and is comfortable with home injection, followup appointments are scheduled with the physician at 4-week intervals to monitor for possible changes in response to treatment and for an examination of the phallus.
authors: Urology Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors: L M
authors: LM
authors: Duffy
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Sidi
authors: P H
authors: PH
authors: Lange
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003075:Coitus; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010413:Penis; D012646:Self Administration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents