Vinh Pham

10.22.18
Lubkin’s Chapters 4 & 10

1. Salient constructs
a. For some individuals, those with chronic illness and those without,
sexuality is synonymous with the sex act
b. In many ways, intimacy becomes more important after a diagnosis, as a
way of affirming human connection, aliveness, and continued desirability
and caring
c. Sexuality is a complex construct with terminology that has yet to be
defined in a way that is accepted by everyone
d. Intimacy can be demonstrated in many ways throughout the disease
course
e. The relationship of the patient and partner is the basis for intimacy
f. For each couple, intimacy is defined differently
g. For some patients with cancer, treatment brings a change in body image,
which is often accompanied by a change in self-concept… A change in
body image, does not occur in isolation, but rather is an experience that is
contextually and relationally based
h. Research indicates that sharing of emotional information versus factual
information leads to greater feelings of intimacy
i. Often verbal communication may be one of the few ways in which couples
can express intimacy
j. A study by Lindau explored the patient’s, partner’s, and healthcare
professional’s perspective on three issues: 1) the effects of lung cancer on
physical and emotional intimacy; 2) the ways in which intimacy affects the
experience of living with lung cancer; and 3) communication about
intimacy and sexuality in the context of lung cancer
k. It is impossible for healthcare professionals to predict what the specific
impact on sexuality and intimacy for a person or couple will be
l. Changes to sexuality in the context of cancer can laos have ramifications
beyond sex as an activity
2. Professional implications
a. Professionals not only need to consider things mentioned in previous
readings such as mental health, social factors, and spirituality and religion,
but also intimacy and sex. Those with chronic illness should not be made
to feel helpless and lose their intimate relationships with those around
them because of their illness.
3. Personal connection
a. Nothing comes to mind in my own personal life as I read this but I am sure
there are many people out there that can relate to topics such as this.