Att samtala om sexualitet -- VÅRDPERSONALS ERFARENHETER AV ATT SAMTALA OM SEXUALITET MED PATIENTER VID EN KARDIOLOGIENHET
Talking about sexuality -Medical staffs´ experiences of conversations about sexuality with patients at a cardiology unit The background of this essay is the taboo to talk about sexuality among people who suffer from some kind of illness. When a person gets ill and need medical attention, his or her life changes dramatically. The patients get treatment for their symptoms. The illness and treatment have often an influence on the patient?s sexuality. This study has taken place on a special medical unit for patients with cardiovascular diseases. The patients get treatment for eight weeks at the unit. It is very unusual that a patient is treated by a small team of medical staff during such a long time. This situation gives patients the opportunity to develop a trust and confidence that could lead to discussions about sexuality. But how do the doctors and nurses deal with patients regarding sexual problems? The purpose of this study was to examine the medical staffs´ experience of conversations about sexuality with patients at a cardiovascular unit. A total of 13 medical staff was interviewed about their experiences concerning sexual problems in patients with cardiac disorders. The data was analyzed using latent content analysis. A number of categories were identified. Some staff have conversations with the patients about sexuality and some staff mean they do not have enough knowledge in the matter. Sometimes the staff is well prepared and sometimes they feel there is a lack of knowledge in dealing with problems concerning sexuality among patients. The staff had a wish for guidelines and more in-depth knowledge about sexuality, in order to be better prepared to deal with patient questions concerning sexuality.