Primary health care nurses discussing sexual health with older clients
Loading...
Supplementary material
Other Title
Authors
Moana, Brenda
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2016
Supervisors
Crawford, Ruth
Isaac, Dorothy
Isaac, Dorothy
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
primary health care nurses
older people
sexual health
engagement
primary health care nurses
older people
sexual health
engagement
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Moana, B. M. (2016). Primary Health Care Nurses discussing sexual health with older clients. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
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.
Publisher
Permanent link
Link to ePress publication
DOI
Copyright holder
Author
Copyright notice
All rights reserved