End of Life Care | Specialist care | I'm not loveable anymore' - Discussing intimacy in end-of-life care

''I'm not loveable anymore'' - Discussing intimacy in advanced illness
Session overview
Description
This session explores the concerns patients and their partners may have about intimacy and sex when approaching the end of life. It examines the challenges this raises for professionals and how most effectively to approach the topic.

This session was reviewed by Bridget Taylor and Richard Kitchen, and last updated in February 2021.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• identify the concerns patients with advanced illness and their partners may have regarding intimacy and sex
• assess the most effective methods to raise the topic of intimacy and sex with patients and their partners
• evaluate the communication methods needed to respond to concerns raised by patients and their partners regarding intimacy and sex
• identify initial management options to help resolve concerns about intimacy and sex
• identify useful sources of referral for more complicated problems relating to intimacy and sex in advanced illness
• assess your own confidence in talking about intimacy and sex with patients and their partners

Patients with advanced illness may have concerns regarding intimacy and sex. These are topics that professionals find challenging to explore and so often concerns are not identified.

How often are the issues of intimacy and sex raised in your discussions with patients? How often do you ask questions on this topic and how do you respond to concerns raised?

This session identifies the concerns patients and their partners may experience and best practice to approach them.