Article

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether, and by whom sexuality
is discussed in amputation departments. The focus was on whether professionals
received questions about sexuality from their patients with a lower limb
amputation and whether they addressed sexuality themselves, as well as on the
knowledge and comfort level, approach and attitudes toward sexuality of these
professionals. METHOD: An online questionnaire, including questions on
self-perceived sexological competence and the Knowledge, Comfort, Approach and
Attitudes towards Sexuality Scale. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of the
professionals had not received questions about sexuality from their patients and
67% had not addressed sexuality. Self-perceived knowledge about sexuality and
self-perceived ability to recognize sexual problems increased the odds of
receiving a question about sexuality and the odds of addressing this issue.
CONCLUSIONS: Sexuality is rarely discussed by professionals in the amputation
department. It is, however, the responsibility of the professional to do so. By
addressing sexuality in a systematic way and discussing this as a common topic
professionals "give permission" to patients and other team members to discuss
eventual sexual problems or concerns. Therefore, the professionals'
self-perceived sexological competence and feeling of comfort with the topic of
sexuality need to be increased. Implications for Rehabilitation Sexuality is
rarely discussed by professionals in the amputation department, even though
sexual problems do occur in patients with a lower limb amputation (LLA). By
addressing sexuality in a systematic way and discussing this as a common topic
professionals "give permission" to patients and other team members to discuss
eventual sexual problems or concerns. Our study shows that self-perceived
knowledge about sexuality and self-perceived ability to recognize sexual problems
increases the odds of receiving a question about sexuality and the odds of
addressing this issue. Investing in courses that focus on increasing the
knowledge and feeling of comfort concerning sexuality of professionals working
with people with a LLA is therefore of important value.

Langue : ANGLAIS