Supporting nurses to discuss intimacy and sexuality with patients with incurable cancer

Abstract

For many people, experiencing intimacy and sexuality is an important aspect of the quality of life. People who are suffering from incurable cancer are no exception (Wang et al., 2018). Often patients encounter a shift from focus on diagnosis and treatment, to emphasis on psychosocial support when cancer treatment is no longer effective. When it comes to intimacy and sexuality, these topics are experienced as difficult to discuss for both patient and healthcare specialist. To improve the quality of life of patients with incurable cancer, the GPS project, which stands for Conversations About Psychosocial Needs, Intimacy and Sexuality (Gesprekken over Psychosociale behoeften, intimiteit en Seksualiteit) was founded by the Amsterdam UMC. Their goal is to help and support nurses and clinical nurse specialists (CNS) improve their knowledge and skills about signaling and discussing psycho-social needs, intimacy and sexuality with patients with incurable cancer by putting together a training program.This graduation project focuses on designing for the online learning environment the GPS project set up, to effectuate awareness among nurses and contribute to a better understanding of the patient’s needs and questions about intimacy and sexuality in this important phase of the end-of-life. The aim is to make the online learning environment the base of their training in order to develop conversation skills and be engaging, inspiring and effective. To achieve this goal, extensive research has been done on the needs of nurses and CNS. By using the method Context Mapping interviews are conducted which have led to uncovering their barriers and enablers towards discussing intimacy and sexuality with patients with incurable cancer. Supported by literature and multiple Co-creation sessions with stakeholders, this has led to a design for a preparatory exercise within the online learning environment which is called: “The sea of experiences”. In an empathetic way, the exercise encourages the participants to think about their own abilities when it comes to discussing this topic, complemented by showing different perspectives on barriers and enablers. An evaluation of the concept with the target group showed that the exercise helped them to have a better understanding of the patients’ needs, feel supported and have the right mindset by feeling inspired to go through the rest of the online learning environment. As a result of the evaluation, recommendations are formulated with regard to the form and content of the concept. After complying with the recommendations, the concept should be ready to be implemented in the online learning environment of the GPS project. To conclude, the concept is a valuable step towards improving communication about intimacy and sexuality between healthcare specialists and patients, and therefore contributes to improving the quality of life of patients with incurable cancer.