title: Talking with patients about sex: results of an interprofessional simulation-based training for clinicians.
abstract: Sexuality is often a neglected topic in healthcare consultations. Several factors have been identified by clinicians as barriers to communication around sexuality, including lack of time, inadequate training, and personal discomfort. Within the Program to Enhance Relational and Communication Skills (PERCS), we developed a half-day interdisciplinary workshop that focuses on communication skills around sexuality and management of sexual problems with patients (PERCS-sexuality). This study reports on the efficacy of six PERCS-sexuality workshops enrolling 84 clinicians. Through a pre-post-questionnaire, participants rated their preparation, confidence, anxiety, communication and relational skills in talking with patients about sexual issues. Qualitative questions were also asked on their learning experience. The workshop increased participants' preparation (p = 0.000), confidence (p = 0.000), communication (p = 0.000), and relational skills (p = 0.000). Anxiety did not decrease. Qualitative comments focused on: Acquisition of communication and relational skills, Importance of patient's sexuality, Appreciation of group dynamics, and Personal insights. The findings suggest that PERCS-sexuality is a useful training experience to improve clinicians' attitudes and skills in addressing sexuality with patients.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Via Di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strada
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Via Di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.|Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vegni
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy. giulia.lamiani@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attitudes; Clinicians’ attitudes; Health Knowledge; Practice; Professional–patient relations; Sex education