Sexuality, intimacy and body image in palliative care patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of disease and treatments on body image and intimate relationships of patients referred to specialist palliative care services
IRAS ID
193202
Contact name
Miriam Johnson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
We know from the literature that issues concerning intimacy, body image and impact on sex life can be overlooked when assessing palliative patients. We hope to investigate the correlation between disease, treatment and symptom burden and the impact of these on patients' body image, sexuality and intimacy. We also hope to ascertain which member of the healthcare team patient's feel most comfortable discussing this with and at what stage of their illness.
We have designed a patient survey focusing on the above themes. The patients we will survey are any known to the specialist palliative care team, irrespective of diagnosis. Exclusion criteria include patients who are under 18, unable to read and speak English, or lack capacity.
The sites where this will be conducted are hospice inpatient units, hospice day units and patients under the community palliative care team. Questionnaires will be given out to all patients deemed to be eligible by their treating team, over one week. Patient involvement is voluntary and implied consent will be assumed if survey completed.
The survey is paper-based and will take approximately ten minutes to complete. All responses will be completely anonymous. Patients will, dependent on site, hand return the survey or via post in a prepaid envelope.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0192
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion