Changes in attitudes, practices and barriers among oncology health care professionals regarding sexual health care: Outcomes from a 2-year educational intervention at a University Hospital

- Majority of staff regarded communication about sexuality part of their job.
- Scores on having enough knowledge and training increased significantly over time.
- Significant improvements were found in six of eight practice issues.
- 10-16% reported discussing sexuality-related issues with more than 50% of patients.
- Frequency of discussion was significantly higher among workshop attendants.

PurposeTo examine the attitudes, practices and perceived barriers in relation to a sexual health care educational intervention among oncology health care professionals at the Landspítali-National University Hospital of Iceland.MethodsThe design was quasi experimental, pre - post test time series. A comprehensive educational intervention project, including two workshops, was implemented over a two year time period. A questionnaire was mailed electronically to all nurses and physicians within oncology at baseline (T1, N = 206), after 10 months (T2, N = 216) and 16 months (T3, N = 210).ResultsThe response rate was 66% at T1, 45% at T2 and 38% at T3. At all time points, the majority of participants (90%) regarded communication about sexuality part of their responsibilities. Mean scores on having enough knowledge and training, and in six of eight practice issues increased significantly over time. Overall, 10-16% reported discussing sexuality-related issues with more than 50% of patients and the frequency was significantly higher among workshop attendants (31%) than non-attendants (11%). Overall, the most common barriers for discussing sexuality were “lack of training” (38%) and “difficult issue to discuss” (27%), but the former barrier decreased significantly by 22% over time.ConclusionsThe intervention was successful in improving perception of having enough knowledge and training in providing sexual health care. Still, the issue remains sensitive and difficult to address for the majority of oncology health care professionals. Specific training in sexual health care, including workshops, should be available to health care professionals within oncology.