Sexuality course

This session covers the effects of disability and chronic illness on sexuality and sexual identity. It will also outline discussing sexuality with chronically ill young people.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain what sexuality is and why it is important, especially to chronically ill young people
• State some of the barriers healthcare professionals might face when speaking to chronically ill young people about sexuality
• Describe ways to start a conversation with a chronically ill young person about sexuality
• Outline why sexual expression is important to chronically ill young people

Sexuality is an integral part of normal life for most people and an important part of quality of life. Issues related to sexuality are amongst the most poorly addressed in palliative care settings and young people with disability and life threatening illness are at risk of missing out on sex education and key developmental opportunities.