Survey of sexual education among residents from different specialties

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine how residents are being educated regarding sexual health, and it assesses attitudes toward sexual education and barriers to evaluating patients' sexuality.

Methods: An anonymous Internet survey was sent to 195 residents in family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry at a single site.

Results: One hundred seventeen surveys were completed, for a response rate of 60%. Participants reported a lack of formal education on sexual health. Although participants perceived their patients' sexuality as important and appeared to have the appropriate knowledge to evaluate sexual issues, they failed to inquire about sexual health regularly, especially for patients from non-Western cultures. Lack of comfort or confidence did not appear to impose major barriers to the evaluation of sexual health; instead, most respondents reported lack of time.

Conclusion: Implementation of a formal curriculum will signal to residents that patients' sexuality is an important topic to address.