Patient's sexuality - a neglected area of cancer nursing?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' conceptions of dialogues about sexuality with cancer patients.


METHODS
The study was carried out using phenomenographic method. Ten nurses from different care contexts where nurses meet cancer patients in various phases of trajectory of care were interviewed.


RESULTS
The analysis revealed one main category 'We should talk about sexuality - but we usually don't' and three descriptive categories consisting of nurses' qualitatively different conceptions of talks about sexuality: (1) nurses' attitudes, knowledge and skills are impacting, (2) patients' sexual problems are the basis for dialogues and (3) the ward environment is impacting. The main category was hierarchically ranged and could be further understood by the descriptive categories.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that cancer patients' need of talks about and support regarding sexuality were conceived as being low during the whole trajectory of care. Despite this the nurses conceived that they should talk about sexuality with the patients, but due to own attitudes, knowledge and skills, as well as conditions in the ward environment they usually did not. Further studies are needed to clarify how cancer patients especially with non-sex specific diagnosis describe their sexual problems and needs of support in regard to sexuality. About what, when, how and by whom, cancer patients and their partners want information and supportive care related to sexuality need to be clarified.
Department of Nursing, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden. cecilia.olsson@kau.se
Cecilia
C
Olsson
Anna-Lena
AL
Berglund
Maria
M
Larsson
Elsy
E
Athlin
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019529:Sexuality; D055815:Young Adult