THE SEXUALITY OF PATIENTS IN A HOSPITAL WARD AND HOW THE NURSING STAFF FACES IT

Abstract

This work tries to identify situations that involve the sexuality of patients inside a hospital and how the nursing staff faces them. The methodology used is qualitative and participant observation was the main source of data collection. The results are shown in six different phases, each one being represented by a central theme. The phases, that form a part of this work are: 1) Finding difficulties; 2) Cursing curiosity and feeling insecure; 3) Approaching a taboo theme; 4) Bringing to the surface the patient's sexuality problem; 5) Living the day by problems of the nursing staff: the emergency of aspects related to sexuality; 6) Identifying the need of help. The themes presented are then discussed on the light of nursing literature.