Co-Creation of a Working Model to Improve Sexual Health for Persons Living with Rheumatological Diseases

摘要

Background : Sexual health needs are insufficiently met for persons living with rheumatological diseases and it is necessary to create better ways to meet these needs. Objective : To co-create a working model to improve sexual health for persons living with rheumatological diseases, that can be used by rheumatological teams in regular rheumatology practice. Design : This study applied a co-creation design with three key features: 1) it took a systems perspec tive with emergent multiple interactive entities; 2) the research process was viewed as a creative endeavour with strong links to design, while human imagination and the individual experience of patient and staff were at the core of the creative design effort; 3) the process of the co-creative efforts was as important as the generated product. Results : A model defining the role of the patient, the professionals, and the team in optimizing sexual health for persons living with rheumatological diseases was co-created. The model can be seen as a practice guideline, which includes the support needed from and to each participant in the process of promoting sexual health, while being within the professional scope of the professionals ’ knowledge and capacity, and in line with the needs of the persons living with rheumatological diseases. Discussion and Conclusions : The co-creative work process identified crucial factors in promoting sexual health, resulting in a useful model for patients, professionals and teams. Co-creation was experienced to be a useful research design to improve rheumatological care, through valuing and using the competence of all research members equally.