TY - JOUR

T1 - A place of understanding

T2 - Patients' lived experiences of participating in a sexual rehabilitation programme after heart disease

AU - Palm, Pernille

AU - Missel, Malene

AU - Zwisler, Ann Dorthe

AU - Svendsen, Jesper Hastrup

AU - Giraldi, Annamaria

AU - Berg, Selina Kikkenborg

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Aims and objectives: The aim of this project was to explore the lived experience of participating in a nonpharmacological sexual rehabilitation programme. Background: In the healthcare system, patients are important stakeholders, and their experience and knowledge are essential to include when evaluating rehabilitation programmes. Patient experiences with participating in sexual rehabilitation for cardiovascular patients have not yet been investigated. Methods: Ten qualitative interviews were conducted with male patients from a randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of a 12-week rehabilitation programme focusing on sexuality. The analysis was inspired by Paul Ricoeur's theory of interpretation. Analysis consisted of three levels: (i) naive reading, (ii) structural analysis and (iii) critical interpretation and discussion. The theoretical framework reflects aspects of behavioural theory of social cognitive theory developed by Albert Bandura and his concept of self-efficacy. Results: The findings are presented as themes extracted from the structural analysis and interpreted in the critical interpretation and express the way in which cardiovascular patients experience participating in a sexual rehabilitation programme. Three themes were identified reflecting the intervention to be a special place of understanding, describing the intervention as a supporting atmosphere and finally expressing the intervention as empowering sexuality. Conclusions: Participating in the sexual rehabilitation programme was experienced as efficient, valuable, motivating and safe, but dependent on a professional setting. The intervention developed participants' self-efficacy with regard to their sexual performance and relationship. Relevance to clinical practice: The findings highlight the importance of a professional setting including certain competencies such as humour and professional skills when handling the after-care of cardiovascular patients with sexual problems.

AB - Aims and objectives: The aim of this project was to explore the lived experience of participating in a nonpharmacological sexual rehabilitation programme. Background: In the healthcare system, patients are important stakeholders, and their experience and knowledge are essential to include when evaluating rehabilitation programmes. Patient experiences with participating in sexual rehabilitation for cardiovascular patients have not yet been investigated. Methods: Ten qualitative interviews were conducted with male patients from a randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of a 12-week rehabilitation programme focusing on sexuality. The analysis was inspired by Paul Ricoeur's theory of interpretation. Analysis consisted of three levels: (i) naive reading, (ii) structural analysis and (iii) critical interpretation and discussion. The theoretical framework reflects aspects of behavioural theory of social cognitive theory developed by Albert Bandura and his concept of self-efficacy. Results: The findings are presented as themes extracted from the structural analysis and interpreted in the critical interpretation and express the way in which cardiovascular patients experience participating in a sexual rehabilitation programme. Three themes were identified reflecting the intervention to be a special place of understanding, describing the intervention as a supporting atmosphere and finally expressing the intervention as empowering sexuality. Conclusions: Participating in the sexual rehabilitation programme was experienced as efficient, valuable, motivating and safe, but dependent on a professional setting. The intervention developed participants' self-efficacy with regard to their sexual performance and relationship. Relevance to clinical practice: The findings highlight the importance of a professional setting including certain competencies such as humour and professional skills when handling the after-care of cardiovascular patients with sexual problems.

KW - cardiovascular

KW - exercise Intervention

KW - qualitative Study

KW - rehabilitation

KW - sexual health

U2 - 10.1111/scs.12738

DO - 10.1111/scs.12738

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31313855

AN - SCOPUS:85069907257

VL - 34

SP - 370

EP - 379

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

SN - 0283-9318

IS - 2

ER -