Development and evaluation of a.
Takahashi, Miyako*,1, Watanabe, Chie 1, Ohkawa, Reiko2, Kaneko, Kazuko3, Watanabe, Keiko4, Kayashima, Kimiko5, Ohtani, Machiko6, Kai, Ichiro1, 1 Department of Social Gerontology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan2 Department of OB/GYN, Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Chiba, Japan3 Counselong Service, Japan Red Cross Medical Center, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan4 Counseling Service, Japan Society of Sexual Science, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan5 Department of Maternal Nursing, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan6 Department of Adult Nursing, Chiba Prefectural College of Nursing, Chiba, Chiba, Japan
ABSTRACT- Purposes:The purpose of this research was to develop, implement and evaluate an educational workshop to improve health-care providers' information and skills to deal with female cancer patients' sexual health needs arising from their cancer treatment. The Workshop: The one-day workshop developed by the authors included lectures on the female sexual response, sexual complications arising from various cancer treatments, special issues regarding gynecological and breast cancers, a role playing exercise based on scenarios found in clinical settings, and a group discussion on the practicalities involved in creating clinical settings that support patients' sexuality related treatment needs. Thirty three health-care providers (10 medical doctors and 23 nurses) participated in the workshop which took place in April, 2003. Method: A three-panel questionnaire survey was conducted 1 week before and 1 month and 3 months after the workshop in order to evaluate changes in participants' knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality and cancer, and self-efficacy in dealing with patients' sexual issues. Results: The evaluation found that participants' knowledge as well as their self efficacy were significantly improved after the workshop. In relation to attitude, participants put more importance on the need to address sexual complications during cancer treatments and indicated less embarrassment to talk about sexually related matters with patients after participating in the workshop. The participants also noted the extreme importance in establishing a sustainable network for participants to exchange information on cancer and sexuality and to share experiences in the clinical setting. Conclusion: This seminar was revealed to have a positive effect in improving nurses' and doctors' knowledge on sexuality and cancer and self efficacy in dealing with sexual issues. The seminar also had some effect in changing their attitudes toward survivors' sexuality. Future plans include: 1. To improve the contents of the seminar by reflecting on feed back from the participants, 2. To develop new programs that cater to participants' specific clinical experience and backgrounds, and 3. To refine the evaluation tools.
Key words: cancer, healthcare providers, education, knowledge, self-efficacy