A qualitative study of Australian psychologists’ diagnostic questioning of clients’ sexual functioning: motivations from practitioner perspectives

Byrne, Ashley; Sharman, Rachael

doi:10.1080/13284207.2022.2048295

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Yet evidence demonstrates clinicians across disciplines do not routinely or adequately incorporate sexuality into their practice. Barriers commonly identified include embarrassment or discomfort, lack of knowledge and skill, lack of confidence, and time constraints (e.g., Byrne & Sharman, 2022; Hughes et al, 2018; Quinn et al, 2018; Seitz et al, 2020; Tennille et al, 2022; White et al, 2020). Clinicians also lack formal support provided via guidelines and policy (e.g., Anex et al, 2023; Fennell & Grant, 2019; White et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaches for improving sexuality and sexual health care in mental health settings: A qualitative study exploring clinicians' own perspectives

Urry,

Breakey,

Scholz

et al. 2023

Int J Mental Health Nurs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is an acknowledged professional practice gap regarding sexuality and sexual health related needs within mental health settings in Australia and internationally. Yet little is known about how clinicians can be best supported or enabled to improve sexuality‐related practice, from their own perspective. This is important, given the sensitive and complex nature of sexuality and sexual health within the context of mental distress and service provision. This article reports a follow‐up study, where mental health clinicians who participated in an initial study were invited to reflect on and discuss the (finalized) results and recommendations generated. The aim was to generate insights into the tools, strategies, and approaches participants felt would best equip and support clinicians to better incorporate sexuality and sexual health into their work. Six clinicians from three disciplines (mental health nursing, psychology, and psychiatry) participated in in‐depth interviews to reflect on a plain language summary of the initial study. Three interconnected themes were generated via reflexive thematic analysis: (1) access to knowledge and information; (2) support from peers, senior colleagues, and workplaces; and (3) enacting a focus on sexuality‐related care. These findings provide valuable insights into how clinicians may want to be supported in relation to (improving) their sexuality‐related practice. The analysis also demonstrates the importance of a multifaceted approach to improving sexuality‐related care in mental health and other health settings. This knowledge will contribute to directing future research and development of interventions, tools, strategies, or other approaches to this end.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaches for improving sexuality and sexual health care in mental health settings: A qualitative study exploring clinicians' own perspectives

Urry,

Breakey,

Scholz

et al. 2023

Int J Mental Health Nurs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“What Is Normal?”: A Qualitative Exploration of Health Practitioners’ Reports of Treating Patients Presenting with Unpleasant Sexual Experiences

Sharman,

Allen,

van Niekerk

et al. 2024

Arch Sex Behav

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sexual health, including sexual pleasure, is fundamental to holistic health and well-being, and is considered an area of priority health in Australia. Despite the importance of sexual functioning, women experience significant gaps in sexual well-being compared to men and often do not seek medical care or treatment. Health practitioners are central to the identification and treatment of sexual dysfunction, including fostering sexual well-being for patients. Despite this, minimal research has explored health practitioners’ experiences in treating reports of unpleasant sex. This study aimed to explore health practitioners’ experiences, responses, and confidence in treating patients presenting for unpleasant sexual experiences. An online, mixed-methods survey was completed by 96 participants. Thematic analysis identified 11 core themes. These themes included five patient centred themes (health risks, diverse sex acts, painful vaginal intercourse, relationship breakdown and violence, unwanted sex) and six health practitioner centred themes (communication and counselling, what is normal, ongoing care and follow up, emotional response, limited practical training, and highly prevalent). Participants described a complex sexual health landscape, with social contexts impacting women’s sexual experiences and engagement in treatment. Additionally, health practitioners reported the need for a biopsychosocial approach to understanding and responding to unpleasant sexual experiences for patients, while simultaneously reporting limited education in this area. Findings reflect the need for health practitioners to be cognisant of matters related to sexual function, consent, coercion, client engagement, and treatment pathways, identifying a need for greater education and holistic approaches to sexual healthcare across medical settings.

show abstract

A qualitative study of Australian psychologists’ diagnostic questioning of clients’ sexual functioning: motivations from practitioner perspectives

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Approaches for improving sexuality and sexual health care in mental health settings: A qualitative study exploring clinicians' own perspectives

Approaches for improving sexuality and sexual health care in mental health settings: A qualitative study exploring clinicians' own perspectives

“What Is Normal?”: A Qualitative Exploration of Health Practitioners’ Reports of Treating Patients Presenting with Unpleasant Sexual Experiences

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About