Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women

© 2017 AJA Inc. Objective: Healthcare providers (HCPs) can play an important role in supporting the sexual health of older adults; however, we know little about the experiences of older people in talking to HCPs about sex. This article examines older adults' experiences and perceptions of talk...

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Main Authors: Fileborn, B., Lyons, A., Heywood, W., Hinchliff, S., Malta, S., Dow, B., Brown, Graham, Barrett, C., Minichiello, V.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/67165
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author Fileborn, B.
Lyons, A.
Heywood, W.
Hinchliff, S.
Malta, S.
Dow, B.
Brown, Graham
Barrett, C.
Minichiello, V.
author_facet Fileborn, B.
Lyons, A.
Heywood, W.
Hinchliff, S.
Malta, S.
Dow, B.
Brown, Graham
Barrett, C.
Minichiello, V.
author_sort Fileborn, B.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2017 AJA Inc. Objective: Healthcare providers (HCPs) can play an important role in supporting the sexual health of older adults; however, we know little about the experiences of older people in talking to HCPs about sex. This article examines older adults' experiences and perceptions of talking to HCPs about sex. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 men and 23 women aged 60 and older recruited from a national, online survey of older Australians. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Most participants did not discuss sex with their HCP, and their HCP did not raise it. For those who did discuss sex with a HCP, negative and stigmatising responses were common. Positive responses could facilitate access to sexual health care. Conclusion: Older people benefit when HCPs are proactive and ask about sexual health. Education in how to talk about sex with older people would also be beneficial for HCPs.
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institution Curtin University Malaysia
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publisher Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-671652018-05-18T08:05:53Z Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women Fileborn, B. Lyons, A. Heywood, W. Hinchliff, S. Malta, S. Dow, B. Brown, Graham Barrett, C. Minichiello, V. © 2017 AJA Inc. Objective: Healthcare providers (HCPs) can play an important role in supporting the sexual health of older adults; however, we know little about the experiences of older people in talking to HCPs about sex. This article examines older adults' experiences and perceptions of talking to HCPs about sex. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 men and 23 women aged 60 and older recruited from a national, online survey of older Australians. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Most participants did not discuss sex with their HCP, and their HCP did not raise it. For those who did discuss sex with a HCP, negative and stigmatising responses were common. Positive responses could facilitate access to sexual health care. Conclusion: Older people benefit when HCPs are proactive and ask about sexual health. Education in how to talk about sex with older people would also be beneficial for HCPs. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/67165 10.1111/ajag.12450 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia restricted
spellingShingle Fileborn, B.
Lyons, A.
Heywood, W.
Hinchliff, S.
Malta, S.
Dow, B.
Brown, Graham
Barrett, C.
Minichiello, V.
Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women
title Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women
title_full Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women
title_fullStr Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women
title_full_unstemmed Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women
title_short Talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: Findings from a qualitative study with older Australian men and women
title_sort talking to healthcare providers about sex in later life: findings from a qualitative study with older australian men and women
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/67165