The sexual health care needs after colorectal cancer: the view of patients, partners, and health care professionals.
OBJECTIVE
Sexual dysfunction among patients with colorectal cancer is frequently reported. Studies examining patients' sexual health care needs are rare. We examined the sexual health care needs after colorectal cancer treatment according to patients, partners, and health care professionals (HCPs). Factors that impede or facilitate the quality of this care were identified.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from three Dutch hospitals: St. Elisabeth, TweeSteden, and Catharina hospitals. Patients (n = 21), partners (n = 9), and 10 HCPs participated in eight focus groups.


RESULTS
It is important to regularly evaluate and manage sexual issues. This does not always occur. Almost all participants reported a lack of knowledge and feelings of embarrassment or inappropriateness as barriers to discuss sexuality. HCPs reported stereotypical assumptions regarding the need for care based on age, sex, and partner status. The HCPs debated on whose responsibility it is that sexuality is discussed with patients. Factors within the organization, such as insufficient re-discussion of sexuality during (long-term) follow-up and unsatisfactory (knowledge of the) referral system impeded sexual health care. The HCPs could facilitate adequate sexual health care by providing patient-tailored information and permission to discuss sex, normalizing sexual issues, and establishing an adequate referral system. It is up to the patients and partners to demarcate the extent of sexual health care needed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings illustrate the need for patient-tailored sexual health care and the complexity of providing/receiving this care. An adequate referral system and training are needed to help HCPs engage in providing satisfactory sexual health care.
CoRPS-Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Marjan J
MJ
Traa
Jolanda
J
De Vries
Jan A
JA
Roukema
Harm J T
HJ
Rutten
Brenda L
BL
Den Oudsten
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*