Human sexuality: an interdisciplinary program for health care professionals and the physically disabled

Area of Science:

• Human Sexuality Education
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Healthcare professionals and individuals with physical disabilities often face unique challenges and attitudinal barriers regarding human sexuality.
• Existing programs may not adequately address the specific needs of these populations or may lack unique organizational and financial structures.
• The Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) identified a need for specialized sexuality education within a rehabilitation setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development, organization, and unique features of a Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) workshop tailored for healthcare professionals and persons with physical disabilities.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the SAR workshop by assessing changes in participants' attitudes, behavior, and satisfaction concerning human sexuality.
• To explore the potential of such a program for personal and staff development, team building, and community service within a rehabilitation context.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 2 1/2-day Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) Workshop at a specialty hospital.
• Evaluation of 12 workshops involving over 500 disabled and able-bodied participants.
• Comparison of pre- and post-workshop data on participants' attitudes, behavior, and satisfaction regarding sexual activities, contrasted with existing literature.

Main Results:

• The SAR workshop, despite being low-budget and largely self-supporting, demonstrated positive changes in participants' attitudes, behavior, and satisfaction related to human sexuality.
• The program's unique organization and multidisciplinary staff contributed to its effectiveness.
• Participants, both disabled and able-bodied, reported benefits in understanding and satisfaction concerning sexual matters.

Conclusions:

• The developed SAR workshop is a viable and effective model for enhancing human sexuality knowledge and attitudes among healthcare professionals and individuals with disabilities.
• The program offers significant potential for professional growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and broader community outreach within rehabilitation settings.
• Addressing programmatic, institutional, and community challenges is crucial for the successful implementation and sustainability of such specialized sexuality programs.