title: Sexuality after stroke: patient counseling preferences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual dysfunction is common after stroke, but is frequently not addressed by healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to examine patient preferences for counseling related to sexuality post-stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and sixty-eight patients from a stroke registry were provided an anonymous paper or online survey. Thirty-eight patients responded and completed the survey. The survey included demographic information, and scales of sexual dysfunction, fatigue, depression and functional independence. In addition, we queried subjects about stroke-related sexual dysfunction and their preferences for counseling and education materials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most respondents (71%) identified sexuality as a moderately to very important issue in their post-stroke rehabilitation. Sexual dysfunction was common, with 47% of respondents indicating that their sexual function had declined since the stroke. Eighty-one percent reported receiving insufficient information about sexuality post-stroke, and the majority (60%) expressed a preference for receiving counseling regarding sexuality from a physician. A substantial portion (26.5%) of patients wanted to receive counseling prior to discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation center, with 71% wishing to receive counseling within 1 year post-stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many stroke survivors experience sexual dysfunction and indicate a desire for additional information and counseling from healthcare providers. Preferences regarding the timing of such counseling vary, creating challenges for optimizing the delivery of this care. IMPLICATIONS FOR STROKE REHABILITATION: Sexual dysfunction is common after stroke, but is frequently not addressed by healthcare providers. Many stroke survivors experience sexual dysfunction and indicate a desire for additional information and counseling from healthcare providers. Most stroke survivors identify sexuality as an important issue in their post-stroke rehabilitation. Exploring individual stroke survivor counseling preferences periodically over the course of recovery may be a useful strategy for delivering the desired information at the most appropriate time.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons , New York, NY , USA .
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Stein
authors: Marni
authors: M
authors: Hillinger
authors: Cait
authors: C
authors: Clancy
authors: Lauri
authors: L
authors: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D057240:Patient Preference; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States