Teaching Sexual History Taking in Health Care Using Online Technology: A PLISSIT-Plus Zoom Approach During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Shutdown

Abstract

Aim: Cancellation of university classes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic challenges teaching inperson sexual history-taking skills to medical, physician assistant, and nursing students. We used commercial online electronic services for medical students to learn sexual history-taking skills.

Methods: A total of 174 medical students viewed a lecture on sexual history taking and the PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, Intensive Therapy) and were then randomized into dyads. They arranged a time to meet online on Zoom with their partner, chose a simple sexual history case-history (male or female) from a small selection, and recorded the 5- to 6-minute sexual history within a 1-week time frame. Each student played a "provider" or "patient" and then switched roles with a new case. One of the course tutors, all sexual health practitioners, downloaded 10 videos randomly assigned to them asynchronously and viewed and commented on the interaction of each "provider" along with comments on what to improve in the sexual history. 2 weeks later after the remainder of the lectures in the course, a second, more complex set of 8 cases were provided, so students could move at their comfort pace and choose 1.

Main outcome measure: Students were required to make 1 online post and 1 comment on another student's post for each case, on the experience, and associated issues arising, positive or negative. All comments were downloaded and analyzed by theme.

Results: Major themes included developing comfort in using sexual language, using simpler sexual terms suitable for patients, feeling confidence and mastery, excitement using technology developing clinical skills, surprise watching their performances and body language, observation of how they appeared to the "patient," organizing sexual histories and incorporating PLISSIT model, ability to ask about context and relationships, and seeing the exercise as building on existing clinical skills training. Some expressed anxiety and nervousness, which by the second case had largely or completely dissipated.

Conclusion: A readily replicable, secure, cheap cloud-based model to integrate sexual history training asynchronously was provided, with tutors' comments, and student skills development, and performance evaluated. Ross MW, Newstrom N, Coleman E. Teaching Sexual History Taking in Health Care Using Online Technology: A PLISSIT-Plus Zoom Approach During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Shutdown. Sex Med 2021;9:100290.

Keywords: Evaluation; Internet; Medical Students; Online; PLISSIT; Sexual History Taking; Skills Training; Zoom.