General internist communication about sexual function with cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
Sexual dysfunction is an important issue that affects many cancer survivors who are increasingly being cared for by internists.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the attitudes and reported practices of internists regarding survivorship care as it pertains to sexual dysfunction.


METHODS
Surveys were sent to 406 physicians affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. Of the 319 eligibles, 227 were returned (71% RR).


RESULTS
Of the 227 responders, 46% were "somewhat/very" likely to initiate a conversation about sexual dysfunction; 62% "never/rarely" addressed sexual dysfunction. Each additional weekly hour spent in patient care was associated with a 2% increase in the likelihood of sexual dysfunction being addressed or discussions about sexual dysfunction being initiated. Reported inadequate preparation/formal training around survivorship issues was associated with sexual dysfunction being addressed less often (odds ratio [OR] = 0.45). Perception of patient anxiety or fears about health was associated with sexual dysfunction being addressed more often (OR = 2.38). Perceived preparedness to evaluate long-term effects was associated with a greater likelihood of physicians initiating discussions about sexual functioning (OR = 2.49).


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer survivors receive their long-term care from internists. Our results suggest that sexual dysfunction is often not addressed during their follow-up care. Additional training is needed to prepare physicians to negotiate this difficult issue.
Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 50 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. epark@partners.org
Elyse R
ER
Park
Sharon L
SL
Bober
Eric G
EG
Campbell
Christopher J
CJ
Recklitis
Jean S
JS
Kutner
Lisa
L
Diller
D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*