Facilitating psychosexual adjustment for women undergoing pelvic radiotherapy

Pilot of a novel patient psycho‐educational resource

Bibliographic Data

ID19506587
AuthorsFranchelle Lubotzky (School of Psychology The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Franchelle P Lubotzky (The University of Sydney), Phyllis Butow (0000-0003-3562-6954, School of Psychology The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Kathryn Nattress (Sydney Cancer Centre Gynaecologic Oncology Group Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia), C Hunt (0000-0001-7988-1207, School of Psychology The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Susan Carroll (0000-0002-6456-3318, Department of Radiation Oncology Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia), Andrew Comensoli (School of Psychology The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia), Shannon Philp (0000-0002-1588-0747, Sydney Cancer Centre Gynaecologic Oncology Group Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia), Ilona Juraskova (0000-0001-9396-4113, School of Psychology The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume19
Issue6
Pages1290-1301
Publication date2016-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.12424
PMID26552017
OpenAlexW2095982934
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

PURPOSE: This pilot study aimed to obtain feedback on the feasibility, safety and acceptability of a psychosexual rehabilitation booklet developed for women undergoing pelvic radiation therapy (PRT) and to explore women's sexual, informational and supportive care needs post-PRT rehabilitation. METHODS: Twenty women treated with PRT for gynaecological or anorectal cancer within the last 5 years, who had received vaginal dilators, provided feedback on the format, content and utility of the booklet and discussed their post-treatment information needs, via a semi-structured phone interview. Women completed standardized (HADS, IES-R) and study-specific scales to characterize psychological status of the sample and to assess participants' booklet knowledge and feedback, respectively. RESULTS: The booklet was perceived as very helpful, informative and not distressing, providing additional information to that discussed with clinicians. After reading the booklet, women had good understanding of strategies to reduce the sexual impact of PRT. Many women reported that discussion of sexuality was often avoided during consultations, despite them experiencing distressing sexual experiences and difficulties post-PRT. CONCLUSIONS: This novel resource which addresses an important component of post-pelvic radiation care appears acceptable and highly valued. Findings have highlighted a need for sexual health communication training for clinicians who treat this population so that they can initiate conversations about vaginal health and sexual health in an informed and comfortable manner. The impact of the revised booklet on psychosexual and clinical outcomes is being evaluated in a multicentre RCT

Bibliotherapy · Developmental psychology · Family medicine · Health care · Human sexuality · Physical therapy · Population · Psychiatry · Psychosexual development · Randomized controlled trial · Reproductive health · Sexual dysfunction · Cancer survivorship and care · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments · Nursing · Psychology · Sexual function and dysfunction studies · Surgery

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access