Abstract
Introduction: Men treated for prostate cancer suffer from treatment-related sexual side effects that adversely affect their relationships and quality of life. Aim: To investigate what prostate cancer survivors and their partners want from a sexual recovery intervention, and whether they consider an online tool acceptable for use in promoting sexual recovery. Methods: This mixed-methods study included focus groups and interviews with both heterosexual and gay cancer survivors, as well as their partners. Focus groups and interviews probed experiences with treatment, side effects, and support received/needed for sexual recovery. Participants responded to proposed web-based intervention content. Interviews were analyzed with thematic content analysis. Their sexual function was assessed with validated measures. Main Outcome Measures: Acceptability of online tools for promoting sexual recovery was evaluated. Results: Participants included 14 patients and 10 partners (2 male). Patient and partner median age was 62 and 62.5 years, respectively. Treatment ranged from surgery alone to combined radiation and hormonal therapy. Qualitative data analysis yielded 5 main intervention needs: (i) pretreatment discussion of sexual side effects, rehabilitation, emotional impact and realistic expectations, (ii) improved sexual communication within couples, (iii) strategies for promoting sexual intimacy beyond penetrative intercourse, (iv) attentiveness to partners’ needs, and (v) access to peer support. Gay men specifically expressed the need for improved provider understanding of their sexuality and experiences. Most considered a web-based approach to be acceptable. Conclusion: Patients and partners value both pretreatment preparation for sexual recovery and support for sexual recovery for both after treatment. A web-based approach may help mitigate barriers to access to these support services. Mehta A, Pollack CE, Gillespie T. What Patients and Partners Want in Interventions That Support Sexual Recovery After Prostate Cancer Treatment: An Exploratory Convergent Mixed Methods Study. Sex Med 2019;XX:XXX–XXX.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Sexual Medicine |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Cancer Survivorship
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes
- Prostate Cancer
- Prostatectomy
- Radiation Therapy
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Sexual Partners
- Sexual Recovery
- Web-Based Intervention
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Dermatology
- Urology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Cite this
What Patients and Partners Want in Interventions That Support Sexual Recovery After Prostate Cancer Treatment : An Exploratory Convergent Mixed Methods Study. / Mehta, Akanksha; Pollack, Craig; Gillespie, Theresa W.; Duby, Ashley; Carter, Caroline; Thelen-Perry, Steve; Witmann, Daniela.
In: Sexual Medicine, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - What Patients and Partners Want in Interventions That Support Sexual Recovery After Prostate Cancer Treatment
T2 - An Exploratory Convergent Mixed Methods Study
AU - Mehta, Akanksha
AU - Pollack, Craig
AU - Gillespie, Theresa W.
AU - Duby, Ashley
AU - Carter, Caroline
AU - Thelen-Perry, Steve
AU - Witmann, Daniela
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Introduction: Men treated for prostate cancer suffer from treatment-related sexual side effects that adversely affect their relationships and quality of life. Aim: To investigate what prostate cancer survivors and their partners want from a sexual recovery intervention, and whether they consider an online tool acceptable for use in promoting sexual recovery. Methods: This mixed-methods study included focus groups and interviews with both heterosexual and gay cancer survivors, as well as their partners. Focus groups and interviews probed experiences with treatment, side effects, and support received/needed for sexual recovery. Participants responded to proposed web-based intervention content. Interviews were analyzed with thematic content analysis. Their sexual function was assessed with validated measures. Main Outcome Measures: Acceptability of online tools for promoting sexual recovery was evaluated. Results: Participants included 14 patients and 10 partners (2 male). Patient and partner median age was 62 and 62.5 years, respectively. Treatment ranged from surgery alone to combined radiation and hormonal therapy. Qualitative data analysis yielded 5 main intervention needs: (i) pretreatment discussion of sexual side effects, rehabilitation, emotional impact and realistic expectations, (ii) improved sexual communication within couples, (iii) strategies for promoting sexual intimacy beyond penetrative intercourse, (iv) attentiveness to partners’ needs, and (v) access to peer support. Gay men specifically expressed the need for improved provider understanding of their sexuality and experiences. Most considered a web-based approach to be acceptable. Conclusion: Patients and partners value both pretreatment preparation for sexual recovery and support for sexual recovery for both after treatment. A web-based approach may help mitigate barriers to access to these support services. Mehta A, Pollack CE, Gillespie T. What Patients and Partners Want in Interventions That Support Sexual Recovery After Prostate Cancer Treatment: An Exploratory Convergent Mixed Methods Study. Sex Med 2019;XX:XXX–XXX.
AB - Introduction: Men treated for prostate cancer suffer from treatment-related sexual side effects that adversely affect their relationships and quality of life. Aim: To investigate what prostate cancer survivors and their partners want from a sexual recovery intervention, and whether they consider an online tool acceptable for use in promoting sexual recovery. Methods: This mixed-methods study included focus groups and interviews with both heterosexual and gay cancer survivors, as well as their partners. Focus groups and interviews probed experiences with treatment, side effects, and support received/needed for sexual recovery. Participants responded to proposed web-based intervention content. Interviews were analyzed with thematic content analysis. Their sexual function was assessed with validated measures. Main Outcome Measures: Acceptability of online tools for promoting sexual recovery was evaluated. Results: Participants included 14 patients and 10 partners (2 male). Patient and partner median age was 62 and 62.5 years, respectively. Treatment ranged from surgery alone to combined radiation and hormonal therapy. Qualitative data analysis yielded 5 main intervention needs: (i) pretreatment discussion of sexual side effects, rehabilitation, emotional impact and realistic expectations, (ii) improved sexual communication within couples, (iii) strategies for promoting sexual intimacy beyond penetrative intercourse, (iv) attentiveness to partners’ needs, and (v) access to peer support. Gay men specifically expressed the need for improved provider understanding of their sexuality and experiences. Most considered a web-based approach to be acceptable. Conclusion: Patients and partners value both pretreatment preparation for sexual recovery and support for sexual recovery for both after treatment. A web-based approach may help mitigate barriers to access to these support services. Mehta A, Pollack CE, Gillespie T. What Patients and Partners Want in Interventions That Support Sexual Recovery After Prostate Cancer Treatment: An Exploratory Convergent Mixed Methods Study. Sex Med 2019;XX:XXX–XXX.
KW - Cancer Survivorship
KW - Erectile Dysfunction
KW - Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes
KW - Prostate Cancer
KW - Prostatectomy
KW - Radiation Therapy
KW - Sexual Dysfunction
KW - Sexual Partners
KW - Sexual Recovery
KW - Web-Based Intervention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85062170579&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85062170579&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.01.002
DO - 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.01.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 30833226
AN - SCOPUS:85062170579
JO - Sexual Medicine
JF - Sexual Medicine
SN - 2050-1161
ER -