Abstract
Introduction
Sexuality is an important aspect of comprehensive care for patients with disabilities. However, for many healthcare professionals in clinical practice, sexuality is not usually an issue discussed with patients. The aim of this study was to explore and describe physiotherapists’ perceptions of sexuality in people with disabilities.
Methods
This study follows a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. Two focus groups were carried out, and twelve interviews were conducted with 24 physiotherapists involved in the care of persons with physical and intellectual disabilities. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with the help of qualitative software.
Results
Two main themes and five subthemes emerged from the data: (1) Silenced and denied sexuality in the lives of people with disabilities, with the subthemes “sexuality in people with intellectual disabilities: a human right not exempt from risks” and “the sexual challenges of living with a physical disability”; (2) the management of the physiotherapist is key for healthy sexuality, with the subthemes “physiotherapist-patient trust: an essential element in dealing with sexuality,” “physiotherapists’ barriers to addressing sexuality,” and “the role of physiotherapy in sexual health of people with disabilities.”
Conclusions and Policy Implications
Physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions, the sexual education of people with disabilities, and their relationship to their environment. Physiotherapists’ lack of training and their excessive workload make it difficult for them to give advice on sexuality. Providing sex education to disabled people and their caregivers is essential to avoid risks.
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Data Availability
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.
Materials Availability
Not applicable.
Code Availability
Not applicable.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the professors of the course “Experto Universitario en investigación cualitativa con ATLAS.ti 9.0” [“University Expertise in Qualitative Research with ATLAS.ti 9.0”] at the University of Almería,” the Research Group Health Sciences CTS-451, and Centro de Investigación en Salud (CEINSA), and all participants who took part in this study.
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All the authors have participated sufficiently in the conception and design of the work, in the writing and reviewing of the manuscript, as well as in approving the version being submitted and taking public responsibility for it. All authors have made substantial contributions to all of the following: (1) the conception and design of the study (MAVM, IMFM, and RPRG), acquisition of data (AECR and IMFM), or analysis and interpretation of data (SNN and HGL); (2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content (IMFM, RPRG, AECR, SNN, and HGL).
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This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the University of Almería (13/09/2020; No. EFM-64/18).
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Romero-Galisteo, R.P., Valverde-Martínez, M.Á., Fernández-Medina, I.M. et al. Sexuality in People with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study of Physiotherapists’ Perceptions. Sex Res Soc Policy 20, 1528–1536 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-023-00804-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-023-00804-4