title: Psychosexual support for gynecological cancer survivors: professionals' current practices and need for assistance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  About half of the gynecological cancer (GC) survivors suffer from sexual dysfunctions and report a need for professional psychosexual support. The current study assessed (1) health care professionals' (HCP) current psychosexual support practices, (2) barriers to providing psychosexual support, and (3) HCP needs for training and assistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews were conducted with gynecological oncologists (n = 10), radiation oncologists (n = 10), and oncology nurses involved in the treatment of GC (n = 10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the professionals reported discussing sexuality at least once with each patient. An important reason for addressing sexual functioning was to reassure patients that it is normal to experience sexual concerns and give them an opportunity to discuss sexual issues. About half of the professionals provided specific suggestions. Patients were rarely referred to a sexologist. Barriers encountered by professionals in the provision of psychosexual support were embarrassment and lack of time. HCP suggestions for the facilitation of psychosexual support provision were skills training, an increased availability of patient information, and the standard integration of psychosexual support in total gynecological cancer care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of the professionals reported discussing sexuality at least once with every patient, but discussions of sexual functioning were often limited by time and attention. The development of comprehensive patient information about sexuality after GC is recommended as well as a more standard integration of psychosexual support in GC care and specific training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. BOX 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands, w.m.vermeer@lumc.nl.
authors.forename: Willemijn M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Vermeer
authors.forename: Rinske M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stiggelbout
authors.forename: Carien L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Creutzberg
authors.forename: Gemma G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Kenter
authors.forename: Moniek M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: ter Kuile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000628:therapy; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000628:therapy; D019529:Sexuality; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*