Journal Article

“What Is Normal?”: A Qualitative Exploration of Health Practitioners’ Reports of Treating Patients Presenting with Unpleasant Sexual Experiences

van Niekerk, Kirstyn, Foran, Therese, Manocha, Ramesh, Allen, Andrew, Sharman, Rachael, Coles, Alexandra

2024

Overview

Sexual health, including sexual pleasure, is fundamental to holistic health and well-being, and is considered an area of priority health in Australia. Despite the importance of sexual functioning, women experience significant gaps in sexual well-being compared to men and often do not seek medical care or treatment. Health practitioners are central to the identification and treatment of sexual dysfunction, including fostering sexual well-being for patients. Despite this, minimal research has explored health practitioners’ experiences in treating reports of unpleasant sex. This study aimed to explore health practitioners’ experiences, responses, and confidence in treating patients presenting for unpleasant sexual experiences. An online, mixed-methods survey was completed by 96 participants. Thematic analysis identified 11 core themes. These themes included five patient centred themes (health risks, diverse sex acts, painful vaginal intercourse, relationship breakdown and violence, unwanted sex) and six health practitioner centred themes (communication and counselling, what is normal, ongoing care and follow up, emotional response, limited practical training, and highly prevalent). Participants described a complex sexual health landscape, with social contexts impacting women’s sexual experiences and engagement in treatment. Additionally, health practitioners reported the need for a biopsychosocial approach to understanding and responding to unpleasant sexual experiences for patients, while simultaneously reporting limited education in this area. Findings reflect the need for health practitioners to be cognisant of matters related to sexual function, consent, coercion, client engagement, and treatment pathways, identifying a need for greater education and holistic approaches to sexual healthcare across medical settings.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adult / Alternative approaches / Attitude of Health Personnel / Australia / Behavioral Science and Psychology / Biopsychosocial aspects / Coercion / Documentation / Education / Emotional intelligence / Emotional responses / Female / Gender-based violence / Health education / Health information / Health Personnel - psychology / Health risks / Health services / Help seeking behavior / Humans / Male / Medical ethics / Medical personnel / Medical schools / Medical treatment / Middle Aged / Original Paper / Patient-centered care / Patients / Pleasure / Psychology / Public Health / Qualitative Research / Rape / Sexual aggression / Sexual Behavior / Sexual Behavior - psychology / Sexual disorders / Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - psychology / Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - therapy / Sexual functioning / Sexual Health / Sexual intercourse / Social environment / Social Sciences / Surveys and Questionnaires / Treatment needs / Unpleasant / Well being / Womens health