Facilitating sexual health discussions with prostate cancer patients: The perspectives of radiation therapists

Abstract

Background: Radiation therapists (RTTs) play a supportive role in patient counselling; however, their involvement in addressing men’s sexual health challenges remains poorly documented.
Aim: This article explores the perspectives of RTTs on the role of facilitating sexual health discussions with patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
Setting: The study was conducted at two academic hospitals in Gauteng province, South Africa.
Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective survey design was employed, with a purposive sample of 50 RTTs. Data were collected using a structured, paper-based questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 29, while qualitative responses were coded and analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti 23. Four themes were identified following thematic analysis of narrative responses.
Results: The study achieved a response rate of 96.0% (n = 48). A majority of the RTTs (64.6%) acknowledged having sexual health discussions with male patients, with 56.3% considering sexual health essential during patient counselling. No significant associations were found between curricular inclusion of sexual health and qualification level (p = 0.065), work experience and handling of sexual health (p = 0.228), gender and avoidance of discussions (p = 0.181), and age group and handling of sexual health (p = 0.723). Four themes were identified following narrative responses.
Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that most respondents acknowledged the importance of conducting sexual health discussions with patients during radiotherapy, although their involvement appears to be inconsistent.
Contribution: This article highlights the potential to enhance supportive care for sexual health in patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer by leveraging the role of RTTs.