SSR Spring 2003 Local Meeting

Exploring Sexuality In Rehabilitation

A very successful seminar was held by the society on 28th February 2003 at the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow. Over 50 people attended and benefited from three thought provoking and challenging sessions on the topic of sexuality in rehabilitation.

Session 1 Sex - do we need more practise! Setting up sexuality services in rehabilitation

Outreach Nurse Ailsa McMillan and Sister Ingrid Bibby from the Scottish Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh began the afternoon outlining how the multidisciplinary service came into being at the hospital

Commencing with some definitions, the speakers described the catalyst - a patient who presented with a pregnancy in the middle of her rehabilitation - and then continued with the setting up of a special interest group to look at issues related to sexuality.

This group went on from brainstorming sessions to literature searching and accessing training available from other organisations eg couples counselling. Finally a study day for the whole team was carried out and the improvements in the service monitored.

This session ended with the delegates being given four case studies to consider with some key questions. Despite having only a short time to look at the problems it provoked discussion about how to deal with some thorny issues.

Session 2 Psychological aspects of sexuality in the context of disability

Graham Charters from Students Services at Strathclyde University, Glasgow.

This session - coming from a psychosocial background Graham Charters outlined the various categories of problems that are likely to occur.

1.         Direct effect of physical disorder

2.         Result of treatment

3.         Psychosocial factors resulting from physical disorder

4.         Interaction of physical and psychosocial

The speaker then covered the psychological implications of disability, addressed the possible maladaptive thoughts and beliefs in sexuality, looked at the components of prevention and intervention programmes and concluded with some very practical how to help points.

Much of the information and practical advice was very useful in a wide range of rehabilitation contexts.

Session 3 Let's Talk about sex! Discussion of male sexuality

Sister Karen McCarron from the Spinal Injuries Unit completed the afternoon.

The talk initially outlined penile anatomy and physiology, and the pathology of male erectile dysfunction. The speaker went on to outline the various solutions to the problem of erectile dysfunction including the use of drugs (Viagra being the best known), injections and the type of advice that is given to patients. Again the emphasis was on practical and realistic solutions to the problem and encouraging patients and their partners to access help when needed.

The afternoon was concluded by a question/discussion session with the speakers.

Janet Leith

March 2003