Exploring nurses' perceptions of providing sexual health counseling for patients with cardiac disease: implications for evidence-based interventions

Abstract

After an acute cardiac event, such as a myocardial infarction, patients often experience anxiety and fear associated with resuming normal activities, including sexual relationships and sexual functioning. However, patients' needs for psychosocial support and sexual health counseling are often not adequately addressed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine nurses' perceptions of providing sexual health education and counseling for patients experiencing a myocardial infarction. Findings from this study serve as a basis for deriving implications to improve clinical practices by nurses.