{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,29]],"date-time":"2025-10-29T08:57:08Z","timestamp":1761728228715,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"CSIRO Publishing","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,7]],"date-time":"2025-08-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1754524800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":604,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,2,16]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Sexual activity and intimacy contribute to wellbeing throughout adult life, including after a heart attack. Providing support and information about sexual activity and intimacy after a heart attack is recognised as part of a comprehensive approach to cardiac rehabilitation. Previous research shows that patients expect health professionals to initiate discussions about sexual activity and intimacy, but that this seldom occurs.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Drawing on qualitative survey responses from a range of Australian health professionals working in cardiac care and rehabilitation, this research examined their perspectives on discussing sexual activity and intimacy with their patients, and patients\u2019 partners. Using a social constructionist approach, thematic analysis was used to identify themes expressed by participants.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Discussions about sexual activity and intimacy after heart attack were perceived as nebulous and taboo. The predominance of an illness \u2013 rather than wellness \u2013 framing of these discussions and a tendency for health professionals to make judgement calls contributed to discussions not occurring. Health professionals also identified a range of intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural obstacles to discussions, including embarrassment, fear of patients\u2019 embarrassment, a lack of role clarity, the absence of a clear protocol or training to guide practice, and a lack of time, privacy and patient resources.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Such discussions require normalisation, careful timing, sufficient time and adequate privacy. Staff training, a protocol and appropriate patient resources are needed to support health professionals to initiate discussions. Further research is required that investigates the impact of specific resources and training on health professionals\u2019 practice and patient outcomes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1071\/py23119","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,11]],"date-time":"2023-12-11T17:45:40Z","timestamp":1702316740000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Australian health professionals\u2019 perspectives on discussing sexual activity and intimacy with people who have had a heart attack: a qualitative study"],"prefix":"10.1071","volume":"30","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7896-2259","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Claire","family":"Moran","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"ATrue Relationships and Reproductive Health, Windsor, Qld 4030, Australia."},{"name":"BSchool of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia."}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7226-1304","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Kara","family":"Lilly","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CSchool of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld 4556, Australia."}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4901-429X","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Anthony Leo","family":"Walsh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia."}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Rachelle","family":"Foreman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EBrisbane North Primary Health Network, Lutwyche, Qld 4030, Australia."}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4127-3625","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Jane","family":"Taylor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CSchool of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld 4556, Australia."}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"67","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"2025102821371426400_R1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3556","DOI":"10.1111\/jocn.14949","article-title":"Nurses\u2019 attitudes towards support for and communication about sexual health \u2013 a qualitative study from the perspectives of oncological nurses.","volume":"28","author":"Annerstedt","year":"2019","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical Nursing"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"521","DOI":"10.1177\/1474515117751904","article-title":"Decreased sexual function in partners after patients\u2019 first-time myocardial infarction.","volume":"17","author":"Arenhall","year":"2018","journal-title":"European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1097\/DCC.0b013e31829980d1","article-title":"Exploring nurses\u2019 perceptions of providing sexual health counseling for patients with cardiac disease: implications for evidence-based interventions.","volume":"32","author":"Barnason","year":"2013","journal-title":"Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","article-title":"Using thematic analysis in psychology.","volume":"3","author":"Braun","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qualitative Research in Psychology"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R5"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"398","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2013.03.010","article-title":"Communicating about sexual concerns within cardiac health services: do service providers and service users agree?","volume":"92","author":"Byrne","year":"2013","journal-title":"Patient Education and Counseling"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S67","DOI":"10.1177\/0022146510383495","article-title":"The social construction of illness: key insights and policy implications.","volume":"51","author":"Conrad","year":"2010","journal-title":"Journal of Health and Social Behavior"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3194","DOI":"10.1111\/jocn.15820","article-title":"Patient perspectives and experiences of sexual health conversations and cardiovascular disease: a qualitative study.","volume":"30","author":"East","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical Nursing"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"877","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2019.11.017","article-title":"Factors shaping the provision of sexual health education for adults with acute coronary syndrome: a scoping review.","volume":"103","author":"Hyde","year":"2020","journal-title":"Patient Education and Counseling"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.iccn.2020.102802","article-title":"Facilitators and barriers for nurses in providing sexual education to myocardial-infarction patients: a qualitative systematic review.","volume":"58","author":"Karani","year":"2020","journal-title":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1058","DOI":"10.1161\/CIR.0b013e3182447787","article-title":"Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.","volume":"125","author":"Levine","year":"2012","journal-title":"Circulation"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"334","DOI":"10.1097\/01.ogx.0000516136.75506.a3","article-title":"Sexual activity and function in the year after an acute myocardial infarction among younger women and men in the United States and Spain.","volume":"72","author":"Lindau","year":"2017","journal-title":"Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.1080\/19419899.2012.715588","article-title":"Women\u2019s constructions of heterosexual non-romantic sex and the implications for sexual health.","volume":"5","author":"Moran","year":"2014","journal-title":"Psychology & Sexuality"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R14","unstructured":"National Heart Foundation of Australia (2015) Heart attack survivors survey: gender comparison. Available at https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/images\/uploads\/publications\/4507_HF_Heart_attack_survivor_survey_A5_Booklet_FA2_Web.pdf [accessed 2 March 2022]"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406917733847","article-title":"Thematic analysis: striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria.","volume":"16","author":"Nowell","year":"2017","journal-title":"International Journal of Qualitative Methods"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"850","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2018.12.015","article-title":"Healthcare professional perceived barriers and facilitators to discussing sexual wellbeing with patients after diagnosis of chronic illness: a mixed-methods evidence synthesis.","volume":"102","author":"O\u2019Connor","year":"2019","journal-title":"Patient Education and Counseling"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"695","DOI":"10.1111\/jocn.14685","article-title":"Let\u2019s talk about sex: a feminist poststructural approach to addressing sexual health in the healthcare setting.","volume":"28","author":"Ollivier","year":"2019","journal-title":"Journal of Clinical Nursing"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R18","unstructured":"Relationships Australia (2019) Intimacy in relationships. Available at https:\/\/www.relationships.org.au\/relationship-advice\/relationship-advice-sheets\/enriching-your-relationship-1\/intimacy-in-relationships [accessed 2 March]"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"785","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsxm.2017.04.673","article-title":"Perceived sexual difficulties and sexual counseling in men and women across heart diagnoses: a nationwide cross-sectional study.","volume":"14","author":"Rundblad","year":"2017","journal-title":"The Journal of Sexual Medicine"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e44","DOI":"10.1016\/j.esxm.2016.09.002","article-title":"Attitudes and performance of cardiologists toward sexual issues in cardiovascular patients.","volume":"5","author":"Salehian","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sexual Medicine"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.esxm.2018.11.001","article-title":"Sexual activity is associated with greater enjoyment of life in older adults.","volume":"7","author":"Smith","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sexual Medicine"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3217","DOI":"10.1093\/eurheartj\/eht270","article-title":"Sexual counselling for individuals with cardiovascular disease and their partners: a consensus document from the American Heart Association and the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP).","volume":"34","author":"Steinke","year":"2013","journal-title":"European Heart Journal"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1097\/HCR.0000000000000155","article-title":"When the topic turns to sex: case scenarios in sexual counseling and cardiovascular disease.","volume":"36","author":"Steinke","year":"2016","journal-title":"Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"543","DOI":"10.1177\/10497323211061340","article-title":"\u2018It\u2019s Not Really a Part of Standard Practice\u2019: institutional silencing of sexuality within Australian mental health settings.","volume":"32","author":"Urry","year":"2022","journal-title":"Qualitative Health Research"},{"key":"2025102821371426400_R25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"460","DOI":"10.1080\/AC.70.4.3096894","article-title":"The effect of sex counselling in the sexual activity of acute myocardial infarction patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.","volume":"70","author":"Xu","year":"2015","journal-title":"Acta Cardiologica"}],"container-title":["Australian Journal of Primary Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/connectsci.au\/py\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1071\/PY23119\/586596\/py23119.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/connectsci.au\/py\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1071\/PY23119\/586596\/py23119.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,29]],"date-time":"2025-10-29T01:42:52Z","timestamp":1761702172000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/connectsci.au\/py\/article\/30\/1\/PY23119\/82065\/Australian-health-professionals-perspectives-on"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,12]]},"references-count":25,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,2,16]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1071\/py23119","relation":{},"ISSN":["1448-7527","1836-7399"],"issn-type":[{"type":"print","value":"1448-7527"},{"type":"electronic","value":"1836-7399"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,12]]},"article-number":"PY23119"}}