Sexual dysfunction following traumatic pelvic fracture

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Urology
• Psychology

Background:

• Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in men after traumatic pelvic fracture.
• Understanding the patient experience of SD post-injury is limited.
• Optimizing healthcare interactions for patient-centered trauma survivorship is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the personal and interpersonal impacts of SD in men post-pelvic injury.
• To understand how healthcare interactions can be improved for trauma survivors.
• To enhance patient-centered care for men with sexual health concerns after pelvic trauma.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 15 semistructured interviews with men reporting SD after pelvic fracture.
• Utilized a web-based qualitative analysis platform for transcribed interviews.
• Performed inductive thematic analysis to identify key patient experiences.

Main Results:

• Five themes emerged: impact on self-image/relationships, unclear care pathways, provider priority mismatches, information gaps, and expectation setting.
• Men desired improved communication and information on potential adverse effects.
• Setting realistic expectations was vital for post-trauma recovery.

Conclusions:

• Men's sexual health experiences post-pelvic trauma are shaped by healthcare interactions.
• Valuing sexual health within survivorship care is essential.
• Integrating findings into patient-centered programs can improve outcomes.