Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to facilitate the conversation about sexual function at the annual visit. The goal was to create an efficient, standardized way for a provider to assess the patient's concerns regarding sexual dysfunction, in a clinic setting that currently did not assess women's sexual function.

Summary: The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the routine assessment of female sexual function because 43% of women suffer from sexual dysfunction. There is limited patient and provider discussion of female sexual dysfunction due to lack of training, perception of few treatment options, and visit time constraints. The project was conducted at a private gynecology practice which desired a standardized method for incorporating a sexual function assessment. The practice had no standardized method of assessing sexual function and only addressed concerns if the patient brought up the topic. During a one-month period, opportunity to discuss sexual function was offered to patients during their annual visit. The Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist, a 5 question validated instrument, was completed by consented participants prior to the provider entering the exam room. On each survey, the provider marked if their sexual function concerns were discussed, if a return visit was scheduled, or a referral was given to another provider

Outcomes: Forty-five potential participants offered the opportunity to complete the tool; 34 participants agreed to discuss sexual health concerns with the provider. Of the 34 participants 21% reported dissatisfaction with their sexual function. The provider discussed concerns with 100% of the participants that reported dissatisfaction.

Implications for Women's Health: Sexual function is important in the overall health of women and should therefore be a routine part of the women's health visit. It is essential for women's health providers to assess the patient's sexual health needs and then offer treatment options or refer to other providers as appropriate

Author Details

Kyle Kristine McDevitt, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC; Dr. Denise Link

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Poster

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Female, Sexual, Dysfunction

Conference Name

19th Annual NPWH Premier Women's Healthcare Conference

Conference Year

2016

Conference Location

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Conference Host

Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Full Text of Presentation

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