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Background <p>Sexual health is a crucial aspect of quality of life and is often impaired in patients with neurological conditions. However, these issues are frequently overlooked in rehabilitation settings. There is a lack of data on how to best address sexuality in neurorehabilitation and both patients and clinicians face barriers in communication.</p> Objective <p>This study protocol aims to assess the prevalence of sexual health problems among neurological rehabilitation inpatients, understand their experiences and needs regarding sexuality, and evaluate rehabilitation professionals’ attitudes and practices in addressing sexual health.</p> Methods <p>This is a study protocol for a single-center, cross-sectional, convergent mixed-methods observational study in a 24-bed neuro-rehabilitation unit. Approximately 30 participants will complete validated questionnaires covering sexual function, sexual quality of life, and mood, and a subset of approximately 10–15 participants will take part in semi-structured in-depth interviews about their sexual health experiences. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. In parallel, staff members will complete an anonymous questionnaire assessing their comfort, beliefs, perceived role, training, and barriers concerning sexual health discussions. Quantitative data will yield prevalence estimates and exploratory associations, while qualitative analysis will capture participants’ perspectives in depth. Quantitative and qualitative findings will first be analyzed separately and then integrated through comparison of convergence, complementarity, and discordance across datasets, including the use of a joint display, in order to generate mixed-methods meta-inferences relevant to clinical practice.</p> Ethics and Dissemination <p>Ethical approval was obtained from Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles – Hôpital Erasme Ethics Committee. All participants will provide written informed consent, whereas staff consent will be implied by voluntary completion of the anonymous questionnaire. Findings will be used to develop strategies to integrate sexual health into routine rehabilitation care and will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed publication in a neurology/rehabilitation journal and feedback sessions for staff.</p>

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Addressing the Forgotten Dimension: Protocol for a Convergent Mixed-methods Study of Sexual Health in Neurological Rehabilitation Patients and Their Care Team

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月30日

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  • Vincent Leclercq,
  • Margaux Leclercq,
  • Pierre Cabaraux,
  • Johanne Garbusinski

摘要

Background

Sexual health is a crucial aspect of quality of life and is often impaired in patients with neurological conditions. However, these issues are frequently overlooked in rehabilitation settings. There is a lack of data on how to best address sexuality in neurorehabilitation and both patients and clinicians face barriers in communication.

Objective

This study protocol aims to assess the prevalence of sexual health problems among neurological rehabilitation inpatients, understand their experiences and needs regarding sexuality, and evaluate rehabilitation professionals’ attitudes and practices in addressing sexual health.

Methods

This is a study protocol for a single-center, cross-sectional, convergent mixed-methods observational study in a 24-bed neuro-rehabilitation unit. Approximately 30 participants will complete validated questionnaires covering sexual function, sexual quality of life, and mood, and a subset of approximately 10–15 participants will take part in semi-structured in-depth interviews about their sexual health experiences. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. In parallel, staff members will complete an anonymous questionnaire assessing their comfort, beliefs, perceived role, training, and barriers concerning sexual health discussions. Quantitative data will yield prevalence estimates and exploratory associations, while qualitative analysis will capture participants’ perspectives in depth. Quantitative and qualitative findings will first be analyzed separately and then integrated through comparison of convergence, complementarity, and discordance across datasets, including the use of a joint display, in order to generate mixed-methods meta-inferences relevant to clinical practice.

Ethics and Dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles – Hôpital Erasme Ethics Committee. All participants will provide written informed consent, whereas staff consent will be implied by voluntary completion of the anonymous questionnaire. Findings will be used to develop strategies to integrate sexual health into routine rehabilitation care and will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed publication in a neurology/rehabilitation journal and feedback sessions for staff.