Virtual Community of Practice on Substance Use and Sexuality: A Needs Study
Men who have sex with men (MSM) may encounter situations which make them vulnerable regarding substances use (SU) and sexual health. Inadequate training of health professionals and lack of integrated health services result in access barriers for MSM. Virtual communities of practice (VCoP) may be a promising avenue to counteract these specific service barriers. This mixed methods study aims to identify the needs and expectations of potential users of a VCoP (InterseXion). Fourty-nine health professionals from the province of Quebec working in addiction and sexual health services completed an online survey about their perceived skills regarding SU and sexual health interventions, their interest about the VCoP and the content they would consider most useful. To get a better understanding the needs of the health professionals, seven health professionals from the sample participated in individual interviews. The results show that integrated interventions in addiction and sexual health are a prominent training need for health professionals. The VCoP is considered a relevant strategy to attend to knowledge and skill development and collaboration needs. Participants interviewed highlighted the VCoP’s potential in facilitating intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration, developing adequate attitudes to improve interventions, and learning about best practices. Participants suggest intervention tools and examples of best practices to reach these objectives. The results are presented in light of their contribution to the subsequent development of the VCoP InterseXion. Conducting similar needs assessment for the development of other VCoP in the field of addiction is recommended.