Objectives

1. MEDICAL STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF SEXUAL HEALTH AND DYSFUNCTION TRAINING PRIOR TO CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT: NEEDS ASSESSMENT AT A CANADIAN MEDICAL SCHOOLClaire Jones (1), Darlene Dzendoletas (2), Stephen Holzapfel (3), Filomena Meffe (1)(1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto (2) St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto , (3) Department of Family Medicine, University of Toronto Abstract Materials & Methods Important issues listed included knowing how to discuss sexual health issues with patients and take a sexual history, diagnosing and treating common sexual disorders and managing issues related to STIs, sexual abuse, and family planning (Table 2). Areas of interest included female sexual dysfunction, emotional and psychological aspects of sexual dysfunction, and counselling patients (Table 2). Many were in favour of a ½-day workshop or a 1 or 2 hour seminar (Table 3). Objectives: In order to establish a clerkship-based inter-professional sexual health curriculum that adequately meets students’ educational needs, a needs assessment was performed. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to all medical students on core ob/gyn rotations at 5 hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. Forty-five students participated. Results: Medical students self-rated knowledge, experience, comfort level and skill in discussing sexual health issues with patients in a clinical setting was variable. When asked about the importance of discussing, managing and treating sexual health issues, medical students consistently rated these skills as moderately to highly important. Areas of interest included female sexual dysfunction, emotional and psychological aspects of sexual dysfunction, and counselling patients. Many were in favour of a ½-day workshop (44%) or a 1 or 2 hour seminar (38%). Conclusion: Medical students’ perception of their current knowledge on sexual health issues is varied, but that they believe they would benefit from further education in sexual health during their clerkship. With consent and cooperation of hospital site coordinators, a questionnaire was distributed to all medical students on core Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotations at 5 hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto during a 3-month period. All of the 45 students who were handed questionnaires participated. The questionnaire consisted of 7 questions with Likert-type scaled responses and 3 open-ended questions. The questionnaire was created based on the accepted principles for constructing needs assessment instruments in the area of reproductive health [4]. Results Medical students self-rated knowledge, experience, comfort level and skill in discussing sexual health issues with patients in a clinical setting was variable but they consistently rated these skills as moderately to highly important (Table 1, Figure 1). Discussion Background In the current sexually charged society, the influx of patients seeking medical help for sexual dysfunction will only increase and the physicians of the future need to be prepared to manage this, and develop the skills to achieve an adequate level of clinical competence. While our study showed that students’ perception of their current knowledge on sexual health issues is varied, they strongly believe that they would benefit from further education in sexual health during their clerkship training, not only on medical aspects but also psychosocial and counselling aspects of sexual health. The information from this study will be used to create a multi-modality syllabus over 3 half-day sessions during the clerkship years, which will be piloted within an inter-disciplinary program with nursing and social work students. Background Sexual health has traditionally received little attention in medical training, yet it is estimated that 35% of the female population has some problem with sexual function [1]. Despite being a frequent health issue, few people seek medical attention and fewer doctors address sexual health issues in their practice [2]. It has been suggested that physicians’ reluctance to address sexual health issues stems from a lack of adequate training in medical school and residency [3]. The current sexual health education of medical students at the University of Toronto consists of only a few hours of lecture during the pre-clerkship years. References • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Technical Bulletin 211. Sexual dysfunction. 1995; September: 763-73 • Meystre-Agustoni G, Jeannin A, Dubois-Arber F. Talking about sexuality and HIV prevention in medical offices: the situation in Switzerland. Sexual and Relationship Therapy. 2006;21(3):289-301 • Nusbaum MRH, Gamble GR, Pathman DE. Seeking medical help for sexual concerns: frequency, barriers, and missed opportunities. JFP Online. 2002;51(8):177-92 • Aherne M, Lamble W, Davis P. Continuing medical education, needs assessment, and program development: Theoretical constructs. J Continuing Educ in Health Professionals. 2001;21(1):6-14 Objectives In order to best establish a clerkship-based inter-professional sexual health curriculum, a needs assessment was performed.