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Talking with patients about sex: results of an interprofessional simulation-based training for clinicians

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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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Raffaella Balestrieri, Daniela Leone, Ivan Fossati, Alessandro Gabetta, Michela Maxia, and Antonella Gullotta for their contributions and commitment to the PERCS program. We also thank all the clinicians who attended our workshops.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Servizio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Via Di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy

    Irene Strada & Elena Vegni

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy

    Elena Vegni & Giulia Lamiani

Authors
  1. Irene Strada
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  2. Elena Vegni
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  3. Giulia Lamiani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulia Lamiani.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Statements of human and animal rights

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of San Paolo Hospital.

Informed consent

All participants included in the study gave their written consent to use the questionnaires for research’s purposes.

Funding

This project was not supported by any fund.

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Strada, I., Vegni, E. & Lamiani, G. Talking with patients about sex: results of an interprofessional simulation-based training for clinicians. Intern Emerg Med 11, 859–866 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-016-1468-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-016-1468-9

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