title: Sexuality: a critical component of quality of life in chronic disease.
abstract: Nursing is a science and an art. The science aspect of including sexuality in nursing practice requires knowledge about "normal" sexual functioning, an understanding of the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapies that may cause changes in sexuality, and knowledge about assessing and treating sexual difficulties. The art of including sexuality into nursing practice comes from awareness of one's beliefs and values, and comfort in talking about sexuality. The nurse will find that most patients will be pleased that he/she has taken the time to broach this important concern with them. This article provides an overview of the relationship among sexuality, chronic disease, and quality of life. Two frameworks are suggested that are useful in operationalizing sexuality in nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. mcwilmot@uncc.edu
authors.forename: Margaret C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wilmoth
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000451:nursing*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000451:nursing*