Primary health care nurses discussing sexual health with older clients

BACKGROUND Primary health care (PHC) nurses are responsible for providing a comprehensive and accurate assessment of their clients’ health to ensure holistic care and improve health outcomes. Older adults (over 65 years) who are seen in PHC frequently have long term health conditions that impact on their sexual health, therefore sexual health assessment is essential in PHC settings. AIM The purpose of this study was to investigate what facilitates PHC nurses to engage older clients into a discussion about their sexual health issues. METHOD A qualitative exploratory, descriptive research method was used to explore the experiences and beliefs of PHC nurses working with older clients. In 2015 three focus groups were conducted with a total of 16 PHC nurse participants. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS PHC nurses are comfortable discussing sexual health with older adults when the discussion is part of an episode of care or when using a health assessment tool. Attitudes and beliefs of the PHC nurse affect the conversations, with some participants being uncomfortable if clients were of a different gender, ethnicity, or sexual identity. PHC nurses sometimes missed client cues and concerns in regard to sexual health. CONCLUSION Engaging older clients in discussion about their sexual health is problematic for PHC nurses. PHC nurses require a framework for sexual health assessment suitable for use with the older client. Undergraduate and postgraduate education needs revision, incorporating sexual health assessment into primary health care.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Nursing

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Eastern Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Moana, Brenda

• New Zealand
• primary health care nurses
• older people
• sexual health
• engagement

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6354

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10652/6354