title: Views of xerostomia among health care professionals: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore and describe views of xerostomia among health care professionals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Xerostomia (dry mouth) is caused by changes in quality and quantity of saliva due to poor health, certain drugs and radiation therapy. It is a common symptom, particularly among older people and has devastating consequences with regard to oral health and general well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained and categorised by interviewing 16 health care professionals. Qualitative content analysis was chosen as the method of analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The latent content was formulated into a theme: xerostomia is a well-known problem, yet there is inadequate management of patients with xerostomia. The findings identified three categories expressing the manifest content: awareness of xerostomia, indifferent attitude and insufficient support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although xerostomia was recognised as commonly occurring, it was considered to be an underestimated and an ignored problem. Proper attention to conditions of xerostomia and subsequent patient management were viewed as fragmentary and inadequate. Additional qualitative studies among patients with xerostomia would be desirable to gain further understanding of the problems with xerostomia, its professional recognition and management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A holistic view, positive professional attitudes and enhanced knowledge of xerostomia seem essential to augment collaboration among health care professionals and to improve compassion for and support of patients with xerostomia.
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Social Sciences, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. solgun.folke@hos.hh.se
authors.forename: Solgun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Folke
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
authors.forename: Gun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paulsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013548:Sweden; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000451:nursing*