Purpose In most types of cancer, the disease and its treatment can result in altered sexual function (SF). Oncology nurses are strategically placed to address SF since they have frequent patient... Show morePurpose In most types of cancer, the disease and its treatment can result in altered sexual function (SF). Oncology nurses are strategically placed to address SF since they have frequent patient interaction. Our aim was to establish their knowledge about and attitudes to SF in oncology care and identify their perceived barriers to addressing the subject. Methods A 37-item questionnaire was administered during the 2012 Dutch Oncology Nursing Congress and mailed to 241 Dutch oncology nursing departments. Results The majority of 477 nurses (87.6%) agreed that discussing SF is their responsibility. Discussing SF routinely is performed by 33.4% of these nurses, consultations mainly consisted of mentioning treatment side-effects affecting SF (71.3%). There were significant differences depending on experience, knowledge, age, academic degree and department policy. Nurses ≤44 years old (p < 0.001), with <10 years oncology experience (p = 0.001), insufficient knowledge (p < 0.001), no academic degree (p < 0.001), and in whose department policy was lacking or inadequate (p < 0.001), were less comfortable discussing SF. Barriers included lack of training, presence of a third party and no angle or motive for initiating discussion. Conclusions Findings suggest oncology nurses consider counselling on sexual issues to be an important responsibility, in line with discussing other side-effects caused by the disease or its treatment. Nevertheless, cancer patients may not routinely be receiving a sexual health evaluation by oncology nurses. Results emphasize the potential benefit of providing knowledge, including practical training and a complete department protocol. Show less
PURPOSE: There is reluctance in providing incurable cancer patients with recordings of their consultation. In this pilot-study, we explored the feasibility and utility of providing consultation... Show morePURPOSE: There is reluctance in providing incurable cancer patients with recordings of their consultation. In this pilot-study, we explored the feasibility and utility of providing consultation recordings when patients are told a new diagnosis of non-curable cancer, and the impact of the recordings on quality of life and the openness to discuss cancer-related issues in the family. METHOD: Seventeen patients with a new diagnosis of incurable oesophageal or head and neck cancer were randomized to receive a CD (n = 10) or no CD (n = 7) of their consultation in which the diagnosis was told and the decision to provide only palliative care was discussed. Data were collected before consultation and 1 week and 1 month afterwards. After 1 month, patients allocated to the control group were offered to receiving the CD of their consultation as well. RESULTS: No major technical or procedural problems were encountered. Three-quarters of the patients appreciated receiving the CD, which was listened to by 8/10 patients and by 10/10 others in the CD group. After 1 month, two-thirds of the patients in the control group also asked to receive the CD. We found a trend towards a poorer quality of life but an improved openness to discuss cancer-related issues, in the CD group. CONCLUSION: The provision of a CD recording on the consultation in which the transition from a curative to a palliative care stage was communicated is feasible and was well-received by most cancer patients and their family. These findings require however verification in a study with a larger sample size. Show less
