Date of Award
2-11-2008
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Medical Doctor (MD)
First Advisor
Margaret Drickamer
Abstract
This study is intended to explore how physicians can best help their older patients attain a better quality of life through sexual healthcare by eliciting older patients perceptions and experiences regarding their sexual health needs and what role their physician should play in meeting those needs. Participants consisted of individuals and couples over the age of 65 recruited from a continuing care retirement community and from a VA Geriatric Clinic. Twenty in-depth, one-on-one interviews were conducted, and transcripts were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Analysis of transcripts revealed a broad range of findings including seniors perceptions of: the definitions of sexual activity and sexual health, their own sexual status, their own sexual health needs, the barriers to meeting their sexual health needs, and the ageist beliefs of others and themselves. This study exposed older patients self-perceived sexual health needs and the barriers to having those needs met; this knowledge should help physicians improve the quality of life for their senior patients through improved sexual health care.
Recommended Citation
Colton, Jana, "Sex and the Elderly: What Physicians Should Know About Their Older Patients" (2008). Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library. 317.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ymtdl/317

This Article is Open Access
Comments
This is an Open Access Thesis.