(081) Enhancing Treatment for Patients with Medically Unresolved Persistent Sexual Dysfunction: What can be Learnt from Mixed Methodology Evaluation-Research?
Authors: Penman J , Penman D , Cook E , Randhawa G 
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Introduction: In adult healthcare delivery worldwide, medically unresolved persistent physical symptoms (uPPS) are of significant concern (Bermingham et al., 2010; Sumathipala, 2007), with patients often requiring an enhanced therapeutic approach (Nimnuan et al., 2001; Dwamena, et al., 2009). When routine medical care is not achieving desired patient outcomes for Unresolved Persistent Sexual Symptoms (uPSS) (erectile dysfunction (ED), rapid ejaculation (RE), genital pain and diminished sexual desire), the evidence for the best practice is limited. More research is needed in this area and whilst RCTs remain the gold standard in evidence-based medicine, there are limitations. At present there is no international consensus on the use of mixed method research parameters in studies involving patients with uPPS. Sexual Medicine teams are ideally placed to develop an enhanced approach to their own uPSS sufferers. We share our experience of an evaluation-research process and report its use, adaptations, and important findings.

Objective

Objectives: To present our experience of Realist Evaluation methodology in developing a cross-modality consultation model: Engaging the adult patient with uPSS.

Methods

Methods: Following NHS ethical approval using RAMESES standards (Wong et al., 2013), we conducted mixed method data comparisons by 3 stages: 1. A wide scoping of the literature, 1990–2014, 2. A Realist Literature Synthesis (2001–2014) of efficacy or effectiveness of Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP), compared through common themes of engagement with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for uPPS. 3. Demographics, referral sources, length of history and clinical intervention outcomes were extracted from an established NHS psychosexual service. The comparative literature findings were used to develop a common-factor thematic analysis of 24 full transcripts from four adult prospective consecutive cases. Validated measures of wellbeing and symptoms severity with goal attainment measures supported further.

Results

Main Results: A synthesis of the literature from stages 1. and 2., supported by clinical experience, led to a succinct definition for the majority of adult uPPS sufferers within which the uPSS cohort is embraced. A Realist equation, ‘Context plus Mechanism = Outcomes’, developed across the case data showed the simple means of discovering the unique precipitating, predisposing, and perpetuating factors of the individual’s uPSS (an approach potentially transferrable to other uPPS). Further, the extraction of common factors perpetuating the uPSS over time plus an accessible set of collaborative principles of engagement for disabling these, substantiated the consultation model. Of the measures, personal goal attainment improvements over time in therapy were the most aligned to the transcript analyses showing improved subjective outcomes and personal satisfaction.

Conclusions

Conclusions: The literature synthesis revealed the paucity of high-quality mixed method research into uPPS talking therapy interventions and none for heterogenous uPSS. This was the first use of an enhanced evaluation-research methodology in this context. Due to the data emerging from the embedded cases it was possible to construct the foundational cross-modality consultation model. At the time of the study, the lack of available clinical service comparator limits the generalisation of our findings to uPPS. Our experience shows from the systematically developed outcome data that realist evaluation can be used appropriately, requiring further research.

Disclosure

No.