Sexuality and rehabilitation needs following traumatic motor vehicle injuries: Client and clinician perspectives

Aim and Background: Sexuality is an important aspect of being human, and is affected for people following trauma injuries. This study aimed to examine how sexuality is addressed during rehabilitation following traumatic motor vehicle injuries and to identify barriers to provision of this service.

Methods: A convergent mixed methods approach with concurrent timing and an independent level of interaction was used to examine the perspectives and experiences of clients and clinicians towards addressing sexuality. A questionnaire was completed by eligible clients (n = 21) and semi-structured interviews (n = 10) were conducted with clinicians. Questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, means and SD) to provide an outline of sociodemographic and injury related information. Interview data from clinicians were analysed thematically.

Results: Sexuality was described as being impacted for over half of clients. One third reported that sexuality was addressed as part of their rehabilitation. Core themes identified from the interviews of clinicians included: (1) ‘whole person’ approach, (2) timing, delivery and responsibility of discussions, (3) culture and comfort, and (4) future tools and skill sets.

Conclusion: Clinicians and clients agreed that sexuality was important but inadequately addressed during rehabilitation. Clinicians were lacking comfort, training and resources to address sexuality consistently with clients. Sexuality should be addressed at multiple stages of rehabilitation to grant service-users the option for these discussions to occur.