Discussing sexual health in spinal care

Autor: Melianthe P.J. Nicolai, Henk W. Elzevier, S. Both, C. L. A. Vleggeert-Lankamp, N. S. Korse
Přispěvatelé: Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Counseling
Male
Quality of Life/psychology
Practice Patterns
0302 clinical medicine
Practice Patterns
Physicians'/statistics & numerical data

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Lack of knowledge
Sexual Dysfunctions
Psychological

030212 general & internal medicine
Practice Patterns
Physicians'

Referral and Consultation
Spinal cord injury
Netherlands
Reproductive health
Response rate (survey)
High prevalence
Patient Education as Topic/methods
Sexual Dysfunctions
Psychological/etiology

Middle Aged
Reproductive Health
Female
Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data
Clinical Competence
Neurosurgery
medicine.symptom
Adult
medicine.medical_specialty
Sexual Dysfunction
Attitude of Health Personnel
Physiological/etiology
Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
Quality of life (healthcare)
Patient Education as Topic
medicine
Humans
Psychological/etiology
Spinal Cord Injuries
Aged
Physician-Patient Relations
business.industry
Sexual Dysfunction
Physiological/etiology

Sexual Dysfunctions
Spinal Cord Injuries/complications
medicine.disease
Sexual Dysfunction
Physiological

Cross-Sectional Studies
Sexual dysfunction
Family medicine
Quality of Life
Physical therapy
Surgery
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Zdroj: European spine journal, 25(3), 766-73. Springer Verlag
European Spine Journal, 25(3), 766-773
ISSN: 1432-0932
0940-6719
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-015-3991-1
Popis: Abstract BACKGROUND: The possible detrimental effects of spinal disease on sexual health are widely recognized; however, it is not known to what extent neurosurgeons discuss this topic with their patients. The aim of this study is to identify knowledge, attitude and practice patterns of neurosurgeons counseling their patients about sexual health. METHODS: All members of the Dutch Association of Neurosurgery (neurosurgeons and residents) were sent a questionnaire addressing their attitudes, knowledge and practice patterns regarding discussing sexual health. RESULTS: Response rate was 62 % with 89 questionnaires suitable for analysis. The majority of participants (83 %) were male; mean age, 42.4 years. The mean experience in neurosurgical practice was 9 years. Respondents assumed that in 34 % of their patients, sexual health was affected due to spinal disease. The majority of respondents (64 %) stated that responsibility for discussing sexual health lies (partly) with the neurosurgeon; however, 73 % indicated to (almost) never do this. The main reasons for not discussing sexual health were patients' old age (42 %), lack of knowledge (38 %) and lack of patients' initiative to bring up the subject (36 %). Twenty-six percent indicated lack of time as a reason. There was no evidence for gender or doctor's age discordance as important barriers. Fifty percent of participants wished to gain more knowledge on discussing sexual health with patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that despite high prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in spinal patients, counseling about sexual health is not often done in neurosurgical care. More training on sexual health counseling early in the residency program seems critical. By initiating the discussion, clinicians who deal with spinal patients have the potential to detect sexual dysfunction (SD) and to refer adequately when necessary, thereby improving overall quality of life of their patients. KEYWORDS: Cauda equina syndrome; Counseling; Patient care; Sexual dysfunction; Spinal cord injury
Databáze: OpenAIRE