Abstract:
The concept of sexual integrity was used to analyze nurses' and patients' perceptions of the need to provide sexual counseling for patients in the acute care setting who have had a myocardial infarction. A qualitative approach with content analysis was used. Data were categorized using the determinants of sexual integrity: self-identity, communication, and environment. For patients, self-identity and communication were the predominant themes that emerged from the data. A lack of information related to issues of sexual functioning was the most prominent subcategory. The nurses' responses contained all three determinants of sexual integrity; roles, lack of information, use of verbal and nonverbal communication, and lack of time were the most prominent subcategories emerging from the data. The findings indicate a need to provide information to patients and nurses on sexual counseling.