(PNM-08) Sexuality of people in palliative care: an integrative review

Abstract Introduction In palliative care, the healthcare team’s goal is to promote improved quality of life. Sexuality is a topic that should be included in this approach, although literature on the topic is still scarce. Objective To analyze the sexuality of people receiving palliative care. Results The studies addressed the perceptions of both the healthcare team and the patients receiving care, demonstrating that the latter experience insecurities related to their sexuality, stemming from physical and psychosocial factors linked to their diagnoses and/or necessary treatments. The healthcare team reported difficulties in addressing sexuality with palliative care patients, both regarding the “right” time and the method of approach, demonstrating a possible lack of expertise on the topic. Conclusion The study concludes that there is a scarcity of scientific studies addressing sexuality in palliative care, which contributes to gaps in care and to the insecurity of patients and professionals regarding an essential aspect of quality of life. Keywords: integrative palliative care; sexuality; sexual function; AIDS; chronic kidney disease. Financing No conflict