‘That might be a bit sexy for somebody your age’: Older adult sexual health conversations in primary care

Abstract

Background: Many older adults are sexually active, and STIs are rising amongst this cohort. In primary care, sexual health discussions are limited as health-care practitioners commonly assume older patients aged 60+ are not sexually active or are unwilling to discuss sex. Studies have either examined patient or clinician views, but not both. Objective: This study investigates sexual health discussions in general practice. It is unique in that it sought perspectives of different groups: older patients, health-care professionals and key informants. Results: Qualitative interviews revealed that older patients expect clinicians to bring up sexual concerns, whereas clinicians prefer older patient..