Students Corner
The need for counselling of women who undergo hysterectomy: A feminist perspective
Abstract
Many women have hysterectomies in Australia each year, yet the consequences of hysterectomy in women's lives are not well understood. Approximately 36,015 hysterectomies are performed annually in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1998). Recent nursing literature suggests that information regarding hysterectomy is inadequately discussed with the patient, and for whatever reason the patient has made the 'choice' to undergo hysterectomy, it appear little information or counselling is available to many women in this position. Many women view the uterus as their 'function' and with its removal, they may perceive that their femininity is challenged. Nursing literature is gathering momentum, and proposing a greater commitment from nurses to counsel in the gynaecological area (McQueen, 1997). Nurses working in all specialties need to develop an awareness of how illness can impact upon the sexuality or sexual health of their client group, and be able to facilitate the provision of appropriate support (Palmer, 1998). This paper will explore the symbolic themes of hysterectomy identified in Wood and Giddings' (1991) research, and will consider the reasons why women who undergo hysterectomy are not receiving sufficient information, counselling and follow-up.
Keywords
hysterectomy counselling, feminism, symbolism, gynaecological nursing
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