Abstract
Introduction: A strategy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction following Radical prostatectomy is intracavernous injection therapy. The patients have not yet, to our knowledge, been asked what they feel is important and necessary aspects for the Health personal to focus on during the advisement and instruction in intracavernous injection therapy.
Purpose: To give Healthcare professionals a guideline to what aspects to focus on, when they advise and instruct patients in intracavernous injection therapy as a treatment for erectile dysfunction following Radical prostatectomy.
Methods: A qualitative study based on 6 semistructured telephoneinterviews. Informants had prior been diagnosed with prostate cancer, had a Radical prostatectomy and had received advisement and instruction in intracavernous injection therapy.
Conclusion: Aspects for the Health personal to focus on: - to give the patient realistic expectations to postprostatectomy erectile function and treatment - to give the patient the option of intracavernous injection therapy shortly after Radical prostatectomy on initiative led by the Health personal - to prioritize time at the consultations - to communicate in an informal way - to show empathy, caring and interest when an intimate and personal subject is addressed - to facilitate rapid follow-up after the instruction in intracavernous injection therapy - to make sure that the patient can make an informed decision either or not to involve the partner in the instruction in intracavernous injection therapy - to be aware of the different backgrounds and reasons patients have to seek help and cope with the treatment.