Nurses' Roles in Caring Sexuality Dysfunction of Chronic Disease Patient

Abstract

          Currently, chronic disease is the major health problem of Thailand and the world. Sexual dysfunction is one problem accompanied with physical and psychological problems of patients having chronic   diseases. Since discussion about sexuality openly is not traditionally open among Thai,  most of patients with chronic diseases do not dare to seek advice; while this issue is overlooked by health care    professionals. Then, it is not inevitable for these patients to be suffering with sexual dysfunction. This article aims to encourage nurses to be aware of their important roles for patients with chronic disease patients having sexual dysfunction. Being aware of these roles, nurses could be able to know, understand and have appropriate health behaviors. Those 6 nurses' roles include as follow: 1) Assessing physical, psychological, and cognitive problems by using probing questioning skills to explore patients' sexual problems, 2) Counseling, as to encourage the patients to be aware of their sexual needs and anything that could impact their sexual needs and function, 3) Educating the patients about their disease, symptoms, and physiological changes that could impact their sexual needs and function, 4) Adjusting both the patients' and their spouses' attitudes toward sexual activities that should be relied on their competency, belief, and attitudes, 5) Helping/Assisting patients to deal with sexual dysfunction, and 6) Outcome evaluation from the   implementation through the previous roles. Then, nursing outcomes, as empirical evidence of nursing practice, should be brought to improve effectiveness and of nursing care for these patients.