Maximizing Professional-Led Sexual Well-being Support in Cancer Care: Findings From a Qualitative Process Evaluation Following Healthcare Professionals' Engagement With an eLearning Resource.

Abstract

Background: Provision of healthcare professional (HP)-led sexual support in cancer care is lacking, perpetuated by barriers including a lack of HP awareness of sexual concerns and strategies to help patients and partners cope. In response, the Maximizing Sexual Wellbeing|Cancer Care eLearning resource (MSW|CC) was developed and demonstrated efficacy in reducing HPs' attitudinal barriers to the provision of sexual support. However, the mechanisms for such change are not yet known.

Objective: A qualitative process evaluation was used to explore mechanisms that influence HP engagement with MSW|CC and its adoption into practice.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with HPs providing cancer care in Northern Ireland upon MSW|CC completion. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed.

Results: Seventeen participants were interviewed, and 4 key themes were identified: (1) MSW|CC raises HPs' awareness of the need for holistic sexual support as part of routine clinical care; (2) MSW|CC prepares and equips HPs to provide sexual support in cancer care; (3) MSW|CC is coherent, engaging, and acceptable; and (4) MSW|CC: moving forward.

Conclusion: Participants derived benefits from MSW|CC, deeming it an acceptable resource. Insights into MSW|CC mechanisms of success were identified, including language to address sexual concerns, alongside patient referral resources. Perceived MSW|CC shortcomings from an earlier study were confirmed as a software issue.

Implications for practice: Healthcare professionals require training and resources to enhance sexual support provision in cancer care. Proactive implementation strategies used to maximize HP engagement with MSW|CC could equip HPs with tools to improve patient sexual outcomes after cancer.