Health professionals' views on sexual information following MI

Following myocardial infarction (MI), patients often have unanswered questions about resuming sexual activity. Coronary care nurses can play an important role in counselling. However, this sensitive area is frequently neglected in nursing practice. This article discusses patient and nurse perceptions of such discussions and explores ways to increase nurses' awareness, so that they might offer sexual counselling to patients post-MI. Health professionals representing 18 Swedish coronary care units answered two open-ended questions, and their answers were analysed and categorized by content. Two main categories were identified: 'Difficulties and challenges' and 'Future needs'. These two categories were further divided into sub-categories respectively: 'Information flow', 'Patients' responsibility', 'Information to partners' and 'Cooperating with other experts'; and 'Preparing information tools' and 'Highlighting sexual issues'. It was found that when sexual concerns arise, contact with medical social workers, urologists and gynaecologists is scarce. It was also found that the current written information is insufficient. Responsibility currently falls on patients to ensure that both they and their partners have been adequately informed regarding any sexual concerns. It is essential that health professionals are well-educated and have the necessary skills to inform patients and their partners about sexual issues following MI.