The management of embarrassment and sexuality in health care

In this paper, the literature on embarrassment, the related topics of delicacy and privacy, and the implications for nursing and medical practice are discussed, drawing on empirical data from an observational study of fertility clinics, plus other studies involving consultation and/or examination relating to sexual issues. It will be argued that current data are too patchy to give clear guidelines for professional practice, but that the issues should be explored in a more systematic way in (inter)professional education.