Implantation d’un dépistage des difficultés sexuelles auprès d’une clientèle en réadaptation suivant un accident vasculaire cérébral : une étude de faisabilité.
Objectives: Examine the factors that could affect the implementation of a Sexual Difficulty Screening tool (SDS) in stroke rehabilitation, the clients’ needs regarding sexual rehabilitation and related professional roles with clinicians. Methodology: A mixed research design was used in a rehabilitation hospital, where the SDS was implemented for four months. The number of times the SDS was administered and the clinicians' level of comfort in addressing sexuality before and after implementation were measured. The perceived factors influencing the implementation, as well as clients’ needs and professional roles, were gathered through interviews and group discussions with five stroke clients, 15 clinicians and a coordinator. Results: The SDS was used 28 times during the study. The clinicians' level of comfort improved significantly (p = 0.001) post-implementation. The influencing factors were grouped into four themes: the acceptability of the SDS, the individual characteristics of participants, the context of the rehabilitation hospital and the implementation process. Clients’ needs were variable, from the absence of rehabilitation needs to the need for more information regarding sexuality and a safe environment to experiment their own sexuality. Occupational, physical and speech therapists reported they could contribute to sexual rehabilitation post-stroke but emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. Conclusion: Several types of factors, some of which could be modified, influenced the implementation of the SDS. Clients’ sexual rehabilitation needs and clinicians’ professional contribution have been clarified. Training and access to specialized sexuality resources would be important for supporting clinicians in future studies on the subject.
Sexuality Stroke Knowledge translation Implementation Mixed methods Rehabilitation Screening