The Comfort Levels of Nurses During Clinical Experiences Which Include Sexual Topics

Abstract

To determine the comfort levels of nurses and factors affecting their comfort levels during clinical experiences which include sexual topics. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 141 nurses who work at the medical or surgical units. Nurses are uncomfortable with taking care of patients who engaged in sexuality related activities (78.1%), informing male patients on sexual life who experiences erectile dysfunction during intercourse (66.6%), examining the genital organs of male patients (63.1%), asking male patients about their sexual life (61%), and answering the questions of male patients about sexuality (57.5%). Nurses who find it appropriate to talk to patients about sexuality during routine nursing care (P = 0.003) and who can answer patients' questions about sexual problems (P = 0.000) feel more comfortable during clinical experiences which include sexual topics. Nurses should be prepared in either pre or post-registration programs to incorporate sexuality as a dimension of patient care.

Nurses experiences discussing sexuality with urinary catheter patients

“…Three participants all chose not to discuss sexuality with their patients due to lack of knowledge and training. This finding was also supported in previous research that concluded that nurses who were the most confident discussing sexuality stated that they had received further training (Saunamaki et al , ; Akinci, ).…”

“…So why are nurses not discussing sexuality with urinary catheter patients? Nurses are experiencing barriers to discussing sexuality with patients; these are sometimes personal, societal, cultural and organizational (Reynolds and Magnan, ; Akinci, ; Saunamaki and Englestrom, ; Chapple et al , ). These barriers may be due to the nurses personal feelings about sexuality, a lack of confidence about discussing it with patients or a fear of offending patients (Reynolds and Magnan, ; Akinci, ; Saunamaki and Englestrom, ; Chapple et al , ).…”

“…The lack of training for nurses in sexuality is evident (RCN, ). Nurses that were most confident discussing sexuality had received further training (Saunamaki et al , ; Akinci, ), worked in an area that involved more discussions on sexuality (Akinci, ) or tended to be of an older age themselves (Saunamaki et al , ). There is also a lack of policies and guidance for nurses around the subject of sexuality and how to support patients.…”

“…In summary, urinary catheter patients believe sexuality is important, but nurses do not raise this subject with them (Chapple et al , ). Studies exploring nurses' experiences of discussing sexuality with patients highlighted that barriers were present, which stopped them from supporting patients with their sexuality (Reynolds and Magnan, ; Akinci, ; Saunamaki and Englestrom, ; Chapple et al , ).…”

A sexualidade da mulher com câncer de mama: análise da produção científica de enfermagem

“…20 Proper training is essential, so that nurses can provide holistic care, with early detection and prevention of sexual problems. 23 Sexuality is not a concept that can be considered separately from health, representing a central factor in maintaining wellbeing and self-esteem. 24 Therefore, it needs to be incorporated to the discussions and be a part of care in order to avoid that patients become filled with concerns, as well as feel alone and abandoned.…”