Development of a policy on sexuality for hospitalized chronic psychiatric patients

This paper describes the need for and development of a policy on patient sexuality implemented at a provincial psychiatric hospital.

The need for a policy was assessed by reviewing the literature and interviewing a sample of chronic psychiatric patients. Development of the policy involved surveying 38 Canadian psychiatric hospitals in search of an existing policy to use as a model, as well as soliciting input from a variety of stakeholders and 2 lawyers.

Both the literature review and patient interviews indicated that a substantial number of hospitalized chronic psychiatric patients are sexuality active. Neither the literature nor the survey of Canadian psychiatric hospitals revealed an existing policy to use as a model. Consequently, a policy was drafted by a task force composed of stakeholders and 2 lawyers. Characteristics of the policy, possibly the first in Canada, are described. The legal basis for the sexual rights of patients is discussed, and the mechanisms for protecting patients from harm are also described.

Fundamentally, a policy must balance the patient's right to sexual intimacy in a dignified setting with the hospital administration's duty to take reasonable steps to protect patients from harm.