Do you feel unprepared when faced with the difficult and delicate questions patients have about sexual health and contraception? Then arm yourself with this quick-reference guide, packed with all the essential information you’ll need to know as a healthcare professional working within primary care. This practical resource empowers you to skilfully and sensitively address even the most complex of patient queries with confidence.
KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
Breaks down into detail the varied presentations you may encounter in your practice
Practical tips and pitfalls with colour-coded boxes to highlight essential, quick access information
Full colour images throughout with detailed content on anatomy and physiology to reinforce your understanding
Explores contraception, emergency contraception, and strategies for managing menstrual and menopausal complications.
Provides guidance on sexually transmitted infections, including examination and management
Covers communication skills to lay the groundwork for consultation, as well as giving a detailed overview of safeguarding
Each chapter aligns with contemporary guidance for evidence-informed practice.
This handy resource is aimed at healthcare professionals who handle queries about sexual health and contraception during their day-to-day role; in particular, practice nurses, advanced clinical practitioners, as well as anyone transitioning to primary care from other settings.
Alyesha Proctor is an advanced paramedic practitioner and independent prescriber working in general practice. Alyesha is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and previously worked as a senior lecturer in Paramedic Science at the University of the West of England. Alyesha received a National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship to develop an intervention to support paramedics to safely assess and manage children with minor head injury. She has a passion for all aspects of prehospital care and her particular interests include the clinical decision-making processes that occur in the out-of-hospital setting, the interfaces between primary, secondary and ambulance care, the evaluation of prehospital interventions to reduce avoidable conveyance and the impact of multidisciplinary teams in primary care. Alyesha has a keen interest in sexual health and contraception, as increasingly primary care practitioners are expected to have generalist knowledge on a range of sexual health and contraception issues. She is currently undertaking her Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health Diploma.
Hettie Lean has had an extensive career as a practice nurse and nurse practitioner in a range of settings, including primary, secondary and community care within the NHS and voluntary sector. For 12 years, she worked as a nurse/nurse manager for Brook, a national charity offering clinic and outreach services for young people, as well as training for professionals across the UK. Hettie is a senior lecturer in sexual health at the University of the West of England and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2015 she became a member of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – being one of the first nurses to achieve the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and Faculty Registered Trainer status. She continues to engage in practice as a nurse in community contraception and sexual health clinics.
About the authors Introduction How this book works Chapter 1 - Communication Chapter 2 - Basic anatomy and physiology Chapter 3 - Contraception Chapter 4 - Emergency contraception Chapter 5 - Menstrual related problems Chapter 6 - Menopause Chapter 7 - Sexually transmitted infections Chapter 8 - Safeguarding References Index
This is an excellent book, both well-written and accessible. It is ideal for healthcare professionals commencing in this area who want to develop their learning.
-- Dr Su Everett, Associate Professor Sexual Health, Middlesex University
This is a valuable companion to anyone working in primary care who wants to enhance their basic knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. It equips the reader with helpful tools for navigating a consultation, with considered signposting to other supporting resources for those wishing to learn about certain topics in greater depth. Dr Cindy Farmer, Vice-President General Training, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health
A truly valuable text on the key aspects of sexual health. By addressing the practitioners values and attitudes and offering practical examples, this resource promotes effective consultations with particular reference to diverse groups. Always patient focussed, with useful checklists it condenses a wealth of information and signposting; an ideal desktop companion to clinical guidelines for considered and holistic care.
Jane Cromarty, Lecturer in Sexual Health Nursing, University of the West of England
