The evolution of sexual health nursing in Australia: a literature review

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this paper is to describe and encapsulate the elements of the sexual health nurse’s role in Australia. In Australia, sexual health nursing is a fast evolving speciality operating within a climate of diverse role expectations, settings and population groups. Today’s health care climate demands that nurses’ roles and their impact on patient care be held up to scrutiny. Methods: A literature review was conducted that used descriptive analysis to elicit the recurrent themes appearing in the Australian sexual health nursing literature that would describe the role. Results: A model of sexual health nursing was evident with the two primary themes of professional responsibility and patient care. The professional role included a philosophy of sharing nursing experiences, collaboration, employment in multiple settings, and the development of the role into advanced practice, appropriate academic and clinical preparation and a commitment to research. The patient care role included the provision of individual and holistic patient care, ability to access specific at-risk groups, clinical effectiveness, patient education and community development roles. Conclusion: Australian sexual health nurses make a specific and measurable contribution to the health care system. They are likely to continue to advance their role supported by appropriate research that validates their models of practice, continues their philosophy of sharing their experiences and that documents the impact they have on the health outcomes of individuals and populations.