DR. LIKES SHARES DISSERTATION FINDINGS AT BETA THETA CHAPTER-AT-LARGE BUSINESS MEETING
 Dr. Wendy Likes |
Memphis, Tennessee (February 23, 2005) - Wendy Likes, DNSc, APRN-BC gave a presentation at the Beta Theta Chapter-at-large, Sigma Theta Tau International Spring business meeting entitled "Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and Sexual function: Clinical implications and outcomes." Currently an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Dr. Likes has consistent clinical experiences in the areas of oncology and women's health.
As a staff nurse at St. Jude for 6 years, Dr. Likes developed a passion for oncology. After obtaining her master's degree, she worked at Planned Parenthood and in orthopedics, until joining the Boston-Baskin Cancer Group, where she gained extensive clinical expertise in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.
In her presentation, which was based on her practice doctorate dissertation, Dr. Likes discussed the histology, presentation, clinical behavior, and treatment of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN). Given that the preferred treatment for VIN is surgical excision, as a clinician she questioned the effects of VIN and its treatment on women's sexual function.
She conducted a clinical research study with 86 women, 43 who were treated for VIN and 43 who were healthy controls. There were differences between the two groups on an instrument measuring sexual functioning, with statistically significant differences in the areas of pain, desire, lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm, arousal, and overall sexual function.
As a result of her research, patient education can be targeted to the areas that most adversely affect women treated for VIN. Dr. Likes' research also raised interesting questions about the use of a specific instrument with this particular population of women. She is interested in continuing her clinical program of research in this area, measuring changes in sexual function, the effects of patient education, as well as the results of interventions.
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