Care for Sexuality

Conversations in an oncological trajectory mainly focus on diagnosis and treatment. Concerns regarding sexuality and intimacy are rarely discussed. Oncological healthcare professionals acknowledge the importance of these conversations, but find it difficult to have them. However, it is essential that patients can discuss their concerns around sexuality and intimacy.

Objective

The purpose of this project is to enable and optimise sexuality and intimacy conversations in oncology consulting rooms in order to better fulfil the needs of patients. Insights into the conversation concerns and opportunities will be used for a new learning environment for healthcare professionals. 

Results

The result will be a learning environment, that specifically matches the learning needs of the healthcare professionals. With this environment, the professionals can gain a better understanding of conversations on sexuality and intimacy with cancer patients

Duration

01 August 2023 - 01 September 2025

Approach

Interviews will be held with patients, and focus groups will be organized with healthcare professionals from the consortium. The data that come from these methods will be analysed from the discursive-psychological perspective, based on the idea that language is used to perform actions.

HU researchers involved in the research

  • Petra Sneijder
    Petra Sneijder
    • Senior lecturer
    • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces
  • Irene Kelder | Researcher | Research group Behaviour & Conversation in digital transition
    Irene Kelder
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces
  • Suzanne de Bakker
    • Lecturer-researcher
    • Research groups: Social Interaction in Public Spaces, Marketing & Customer Experience
  • Inge Blauw
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces
  • Stan van Ginkel
    • Professor
    • Research group: Digital Ethics
  • Annette Klarenbeek
    • Professor
    • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces
  • Anouk Mols
    • Lecturer-researcher
    • Research group: Research group Curriculum Development in Primary and Secondary Education
  • Baukje Stinesen
    Baukje Stinesen
    • PhD candidate
    • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces
  • Anouk Teunissen
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces

Impact of the project

This project delivers a learning environment for healthcare professionals that want to improve their conversations on sexuality with patients. Within this project, the involvement within education is managed in different ways. Teacher-researchers participate in this project. Students of “Art of the dialogue” (“Kunst van de dialoog”) and students of “Oncological care” will be involved through research minors, internships and graduating.

Collaboration with knowledge partners

Partners in the project are: Amsterdam UMC, Breast cancer association Netherlands (BVN), Erasmus MC, Flare Health, Flevo hospital, Isala Zwolle, LUMC, Prostate cancer foundation, Foundation General Practitioner Advisory Group Sexual Health (SEKSHAG), Sick and Sex Foundation, Kanker.nl Foundation, Van Leeuwen Communication and Voor de Leeuwen (training and advice).

Any questions or want to collaborate?

Petra Sneijder

Petra Sneijder

  • Senior lecturer
  • Research group: Social Interaction in Public Spaces