The PLISSIT Model: care and management of patients' psychosexual needs following radical surgery.

Patients who have undergone invasive medical procedures requiring radical body changes often experience feelings of worthlessness and particularly negative feelings about their sexuality. Their initial contact with the healthcare team is frequently a nurse who may be poorly equipped, too busy, or too embarrassed to help address the patients' sexual issues; therefore, vital information may be lost to the healthcare team. The PLISSIT Model offers nurses or case managers a concise framework for intervention to address patients' concerns at the earliest stages of their distress, and helps assure informed feedback to the healthcare team regarding the patients' sexual issues.