Differences in health care professionals' and cancer patients' views on sexual health issues

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2299-2302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elfriede Greimel ◽  
Anne Lanceley ◽  
Anne Oberguggenberger ◽  
Andy Nordin ◽  
Karin Kuljanic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Issues

scholarly journals Let us integrate sexual health—do psychiatrists integrate sexual health in patient management?

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-534
Author(s):  
Tamara Seitz ◽  
Lucia Ucsnik ◽  
Andrea Kottmel ◽  
Johannes Bitzer ◽  
Bela Teleky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Sexual Medicine ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Sexual Health Care

AbstractThe high prevalence of sexual dysfunction and the importance of sexual health issues in general stress the need for a physician to integrate sexual health issues in patient management. In this study, we evaluate the frequency of psychiatrists addressing sexual health issues as well as their attitude towards sexual health. Plus, we want to evaluate the multi-professional network for patient treatment that is needed by physicians for collaboration with other medical specialists and health care professionals. At total 100 psychiatrists (age range 30–60 years), participating at the annual meeting of the Austrian Society of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, were invited to self-assess their caring for patients’ sexual health issues and answer a self-report questionnaire. The return rate was 74%. A third of the participating psychiatrists and psychotherapists stated to address sexual health in patients in daily routine. Twenty-five percent of the physicians suspected sexual health problems in 60–100% of their patients but did not ask the patients about this topic. Mentioned reasons why patients would not actively address sexual problems were rated by the survey participants “a different problem was more important”, “lack of time”, and “embarrassment”. Only few of the participating psychiatrists stated to offer a consultation in sexual health to the patients, none to offer sexual therapy. A mentioned reason was “lack of competence regarding sexual health”. Twelve percent referred the patients with sexual issues to a physician with another medical specialization, especially to experts in gynaecology and obstetrics, to experts in urology, or to andrologists. However, a need for a network in the field of sexual medicine was stated and an unawareness of a sexual health care network: where to refer the patients in need. Our data showed an increased need in the routine treatment and management of sexual health care in psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Plus, the data stresses the need for professional sexual medicine qualification and for extended cooperation between different medical fields and health care professionals in order to integrate sexual health topics professionally in daily routine.

scholarly journals Massage Therapy in Outpatient Cancer Care: A Metropolitan Area Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia S. Cowen ◽  
Robin Streit Miccio ◽  
Bijal Parikh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Therapeutic Touch ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Systematic Analysis

Massage offers cancer patients general quality of life benefits as well as alleviation of cancer-related symptoms/cancer-treatment–related symptoms including pain, anxiety, and fatigue. Little is known about whether massage is accessible to cancer patients who receive treatment in the outpatient setting and how massage is incorporated into the overall cancer treatment plan. Outpatient cancer centers (n = 78) in a single metropolitan area were included this mixed-methods project that included a systematic analysis of website information and a telephone survey. Massage was offered at only 40 centers (51.3% of total). A range of massage modalities were represented, with energy-based therapies (Reiki and Therapeutic Touch) most frequently provided. Although massage therapists are licensed health care providers in the states included in this analysis, massage was also provided by nurses, physical therapists, and other health care professionals.

Depression, Fatigue, and QoL in Colorectal Cancer Patients During and After Treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 893-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Yi Tung ◽  
Tung-Bo Chao ◽  
Yu-Hua Lin ◽  
Shu-Fen Wu ◽  
Hui-Yen Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Nursing Intervention ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients

In this study, we sought to explore the prevalence of depression and fatigue in colorectal cancer patients during and after treatment to examine how these variables affect quality of life (QoL). In total, 170 patients with colorectal cancer participated in this study. The study population was divided into two groups: one receiving treatment and another that had finished treatment. The results showed that depression and fatigue measurements were higher in patients receiving treatment. Depression was a strong and significant predictor of QoL in both groups, whereas fatigue was not, with the exception of the symptom score. These findings underscore the importance of early detection and management of depression and fatigue during the treatment and survival stages of patients with colorectal cancer. Our findings indicate that health care professionals should provide appropriate nursing intervention to decrease depression and fatigue and enhance patient QoL.

scholarly journals Travel, Pilgrimage and Health Hazards

JMS SKIMS ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-90
Author(s):  
Shariq Rashid Masoodi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Hazards ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Anticipatory Guidance ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Potential Risks

Today more people are travelling than ever before. Travel uWith more people travelling, health care professionals should become more familiar with some of the unique health issues associated with travel and pilgrimage.Travel has some unique safety and health issues, especially for the young and the elderly. Physicians need to be aware of the health issues related to travelling, identify people at risk for health problems during travel, and provide appropriate anticipatory guidance. Many guidelines have been developed to help inform physicians about some of the health issues of people travelling. These guidelines are to provide information on the risks of travel to people, determine which pre-existing health conditions may be complicated by a particular mode of travel, and offer preventative measures that can minimize potential risks to people during the travel. sed to be a leisure which could only be afforded by a few.... JMS 2012;15(2):87-90

scholarly journals Setting Up Psychosexual Medicine Unit: Insights From a Private University-Based Medical College Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-185
Author(s):  
Sathish Raju Nilakantam ◽  
Shivanand Manohar ◽  
Suman S. Rao ◽  
M. Dayananda ◽  
Supriya Mathur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Private University ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Academic Program ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Sexual Medicine ◽  
Sexual Health Care ◽  
Medical College

Introduction: Sexual health issues are highly prevalent but are underdiagnosed and underrecognized in day-to-day clinical practice. The lack of awareness of the specific health care needs of the patients with sexual dysfunctions and resource limitations might be certain reasons why many hospitals are not been equipped with the sexual health care units. There is paucity of specialized psychosexual health care services across the country. Trained interdisciplinary team with prepared environment in sexual medicine is the need of the hour. We started this psychosexual medicine unit with an emphasis on sexual wellness to deliver comprehensive sexual health care which will be a primary care linkage to patients presenting with symptoms of sexual disorders, so also treatment emergent sexual dysfunction in psychiatry and other medical and surgical branches. Aim: To portray the methods, opportunities, and challenges that we experienced in establishing a specialty psychosexual medicine facility as a different unit in a private university-based medical college and hospital in Mysuru, India. Methods: This triweekly psychosexual medicine unit is situated in the Outpatient Division of Psychiatry and is staffed with a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals. Structured survey tools and proforma are utilized to assess all patients. Case conclusions are made according to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, symptomatic/clinical explanations and diagnostic recommendations, and furthermore Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) when required. Patient care included interventions in the form of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Results: It is possible to set up a functional psychosexual medicine facility as a different unit with a trained interdisciplinary group of professionals. Patient-centered approach is vital in our care plan and management. Postgraduate students and internees posted in psychiatry division have been undertaking rotations respectively as per their duty rota. There is also a robust academic program that includes once-weekly seminars pertaining to topics of psychosexual health and monthly journal club gatherings interchanging with seminars on sexual health and well-being appraisal devices. Conclusion: By investing on improving infrastructure and available human resources, the specialty psychosexual medicine unit was established. The psychosexual medicine unit not only gave chances for a more comprehensive assessment of individuals with sexual disorders but also improved training and education for residents with focused interdisciplinary research in the field of sexual medicine. It portrays a versatile model that can be replicated in settings of similar type.

scholarly journals Sexual Health as Part of Gynecologic Cancer Care: What Do Patients Want?

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1737-1742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey M. Hay ◽  
Heidi S. Donovan ◽  
Erin G. Hartnett ◽  
Jeanne Carter ◽  
Mary C. Roberge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Relationship Status ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Sexual Health Care

ObjectiveSexual health is important to quality of life; however, the sexual health of gynecologic cancer patients is infrequently and inadequately addressed. We sought to understand patient experiences and preferences for sexual health care to help inform strategies for improvement.Methods/MaterialsAn anonymous, cross-sectional survey of outpatient gynecologic cancer patients at a large academic medical center was performed as part of a larger study examining patient and caregiver needs. The survey explored patient-provider discussions about sexuality across 3 domains (experiences, preferences, barriers) and 4 phases of cancer care (diagnosis, treatment, treatment completion, follow-up). Age, relationship status, sexual activity, and cancer type were recorded.ResultsMean age was 63 years. Most patients had ovarian cancer (38%) or endometrial cancer (32%). Thirty-seven percent received treatment within the last month, 55% were in a relationship, and 35% were sexuality active. Thirty-four percent reported sexuality as somewhat or very important, whereas 27% felt that it was somewhat or very important to discuss. Importance of sexuality was associated with age, relationship status, and sexual activity but not cancer type. Fifty-seven percent reported never discussing sexuality. Age was associated with sexuality discussions, whereas relationship status, sexual activity, and cancer type were not. The most common barrier to discussion was patient discomfort. Follow-up was identified as the best time for discussion. Sexuality was most often discussed with a physician or advanced practice provider and usually brought up by the provider.ConclusionsDemographic predictors of importance of sexuality to the patient are age, relationship status, and sexual activity. Providers primarily use age as a proxy for importance of sexuality; however, relationship status and sexual activity may represent additional ways to screen for patients interested in discussing sexual health. Patient discomfort with discussing sexuality is the primary barrier to sexual health discussions, and awareness of this is key to developing effective approaches to providing sexual health care.

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