Sexual counselling for the physically disabled: a comparison of health care professionals' attitudes and practices.

The objective of this study was to compare health care professionals' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices in providing sexual counselling to physically handicapped patients. Two hundred and twenty-six physicians, registered nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists completed mailed questionnaires. Physicians obtained the highest knowledge scores. However, all groups lacked knowledge about sexuality and disability. Although the study sample had very positive views about sexual counselling, the actual provision of counselling did not reflect these views, especially among nurses and therapists. The findings point to the need for health care professionals to obtain more knowledge and competence in counselling about sexuality and disability.