Table 1 Barriers to sexual counselling delivery, COM-B components, selected intervention functions, selected BCTs and BCT translation within the intervention

Lack of knowledge and guidelines/information [23, 32]

Low awareness among staff of sexual problems and cardiovascular disease [23]

Psychological

Capability

Education

5.1 Information about health consequences

Provide information on clinical guidance about returning to sexual activity

Provide information on improved health consequences for patients who receive sexual counselling

5.6 Information about emotional consequences

Provide information on improved QOL/emotion for patients who receive sexual counselling

6.3 Information about other’s approval

Discuss best practice guidelines developed by experts recommending sexual counselling

Lack of training in the provision of sexual counselling [23]

Psychological

Capability

Training

4.1 Instruction on how to perform a behaviour

Provide manual and checklist of how to deliver group session

Provide step-by-step guidance on how to address sexual concerns if raised

6.1 Demonstration of behaviour

Show videos clips of good examples of HCPs interacting with patients who raise sexual concerns

8.1 Behavioural practice/rehearsal

Role play exercises of interacting patients who raise sexual concerns

Perceptions among staff that the provision of sexual counselling to female patients is more difficult [23, 32]

Social opportunity

Enablement

1.2 Problem solving

Work with HCPs to identify potential problems related to gender and means to overcome barriers

13.2 Framing/reframing

Suggest that provision of sexual counselling to women is particularly important given greater difficulties for women in discussing these issues

15.1 Verbal persuasion about capability

Provide positive feedback in relation to role play performance and link with ability to provide sexual counselling in real-life settings

Modelling

6.1 Demonstration of the behaviour

Show video clips of good communication around sexual problems with women

Perceptions among staff that issues related to patient culture, religion and ethnicity can make sexual counselling more difficult [23, 32]

Social opportunity

Enablement

1.2 Problem solving

Work with HCPs to identify potential problems related to culture, ethnicity and religion and means to overcome barriers

13.2 Framing/reframing

Suggest that provision of sexual counselling to all is particularly important given greater cultural, religious and ethnic diversity

Modelling

6.1 Demonstration of the behaviour

Show video clips of good communication around sexual problems with people from different ethnic groups

A sense of embarrassment and discomfort with sexual matters among staff, exacerbated by the older age of many patients [32]

Staff members’ fear of offending patients should they broach the topic of sex and sexuality [32]

Automatic motivation

Modelling

6.1 Demonstration of the behaviour

Show video clips of interactions with patients that minimises potential offence and embarrassment

Persuasion

5.1 Information about emotional consequences

Provide info on improved health outcomes for all patients

6.3 Information about others’ approval

Provide information on patient’s expressed need for sexual counselling

13.2 Framing/reframing

Reframe discussing sexual issues as meeting patients’ needs rather than causing offence

The perception among staff that patients do not expect staff to ask about sex [23]

The perception among staff that giving permission is not a staff responsibility [23]

Reflective motivation

Education

6.3 Information about other’s approval

Give examples from the CHARMS baseline study showing how cardiac patients wanted and needed their healthcare providers to ask them about sex.

Persuasion

6.2 Social comparisons

Show how sexual counselling is already part of routine cardiac rehabilitation in some centres in Ireland, and how it is integrated with rehabilitation in other countries

9.1 Credible source

Provide information on the guidelines on sexual counselling during cardiac rehabilitation from the ESC and the AHA

Low confidence (among staff in the area of sexual counselling) [23]

Reflective motivation

Persuasion

15.1 Verbal persuasion about capability

The CHARMS educator will provide verbal support and reassurance throughout the training session, telling the staff members that they can successfully provide sexual counselling to their patients.

Modelling

6.1 Demonstration of the behaviour

Show video clips depicting a cardiac rehabilitation staff member providing sexual counselling in a confident, assured manner.

Perceptions about the relationships between gender and age and sexuality [23, 32]

Reflective motivation

Persuasion

5.1 Information about health consequences

Provide info on improved health outcomes for all patients

5.2 Salience of consequences

Provide case studies of positive consequences of providing sexual counselling including patients who vary by gender and age

5.6 Information about emotional consequences

Provide info on improved quality of life and emotional outcomes for all patients

6.3 Information about others’ approval

Provide information on patients’ expressed need for sexual counselling including patients who vary by gender and age

9.1 Credible source

Ensure credibility of CHARMS educator and include expert video clips on benefits for all patients

13.2 Framing/reframing

Reframe discussing sexual issues as meeting patients’ needs regardless of gender or age

Staff perceptions of patients’ lack of readiness and awareness with regard to sexual issues [23]

Reflective motivation

Persuasion

6.3 Information about others’ approval

Provide information on patients’ awareness of sexual issues and expressed need for sexual counselling during cardiac rehabilitation