Disability, sexual and reproductive health: a scoping review of healthcare professionals’ views on their confidence and competence in care provision

Abstract

BackgroundThe sexual and reproductive needs of people with disabilities are often unmet. Healthcare professionals play an important role in meeting these needs.ObjectiveTo explore the views of healthcare professionals on their confidence and competence in providing sexual and reproductive healthcare to people with disabilities.MethodologyTwo databases were searched yielding 14 studies included in the review. Studies detailing healthcare professionals’ experiences working in the subject area were included alongside results and evaluations of staff training/workshops within the area. Search results were screened for eligibility by the first and second authors and any discrepancies were resolved by the third author. All subsequent stages were carried out by the first author and reviewed by the second and third authors.ResultsThe study's findings indicate that there is a lack of training, guidelines, patient contact, time, teamwork and collaboration between staff, and a lack of awareness/access to resources within this area. Evaluations of training programmes/workshops showed an increase in knowledge, comfort and skills surrounding the subject. Continuous training would be beneficial to ensure these are maintained at a high level.ConclusionsOverall healthcare professionals felt they lack confidence and competence in providing sexual and reproductive healthcare to people with disabilities. Further research in this area is recommended to assess this in more depth. Development of guidelines, multidisciplinary training programmes and further resources for both staff and patients are recommended.

Experiences of women with physical disabilities in labor and delivery assistance

“…The combination of physical structure with accessibility, provision of scientific knowledge, and an interdisciplinary team guides the safe work of healthcare professionals and helps build women’s confidence in the care received. For this, continuing education, access to guides and manuals on the topic, and other knowledge sources can contribute to the development of healthcare professionals’ skills in providing sexual and reproductive health care to women with physical disabilities ( 21 , 23 ) .…”

Vivências de mulheres com deficiência física na assistência ao trabalho de parto e parto

“…A combinação de estrutura física com acessibilidade, provimento de conhecimento científico e equipe interdisciplinar direciona o trabalho seguro do profissional de saúde e ajuda na promoção da confiança da mulher na assistência recebida. Para isso, a educação continuada, o acesso a guias e manuais sobre a temática e outras fontes de conhecimento podem colaborar no desenvolvimento de competências do profissional de saúde diante da assistência à saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres com deficiência física (21,23) .…”

Participant perceptions of disability training for health workers: a qualitative study in Ghana

“…(1, 2) Accordingly, health workforces often lack adequate knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality health care to disabled people. (3) The omission from training and national policies on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) improvement creates a notable gap in care for disabled women. (4, 5) Ghana, however, has emerged as a leader on research and health worker training on disability and SRH in sub-Saharan Africa, because of training pilots described in this paper.…”