Dataset Information

Perceived influence of medical school sexual health education on specialty selection in young urologists specializing in sexual dysfunction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To determine effects of sexual health curriculum (SHC) in medical school and mentorship on future specialty/subspecialty selection, we sought to evaluate the experiences of urology trainees and practicing urologists.

Methods

Residents, fellows, and practicing urologists completed a 15-question survey regarding their exposure to a SHC during medical school, topics covered, and the influence of mentors in their career choice. Summary statistics were used to identify trends based on survey responses.

Results

Ninety-four respondents, primarily post-graduate training year 4 and 5 (46%), completed the survey. Approximately 50% recalled a dedicated SHC during medical school with 46% planning to pursue fellowship training in sexual medicine/reconstruction. Topics commonly covered included reproductive anatomy/physiology and sexual history-taking, while respondents rarely recalled topics such as sexual aids/toys and pornography. Only 25% felt their SHC provided an adequate fund of knowledge to address sexual health concerns in patients, and only 14% felt that exposure to a SHC influenced their decision to pursue urology. Individuals intending to pursue fellowship were more likely to have an attending mentor, a mentor with expertise in sexual dysfunction, and considered their mentor as important or very important in their decision to subspecialize (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Most urology trainees do not have strong exposure to a SHC during medical school and cite mentorship as a more important role in the decision to pursue subspecialty training. These data support the need for a standardized formal SHC and continued exposure to sexual health experts during training to ensure continued interest in sexual medicine/reconstruction fellowship.

SUBMITTER: Parikh N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10406534 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Perceived influence of medical school sexual health education on specialty selection in young urologists specializing in sexual dysfunction.

Parikh Niki N Aro-Lambo Mazeed M Vencill Jennifer A JA Collins C Scott CS Helo Sevann S Kohler Tobias T Ziegelmann Matthew M

Translational andrology and urology 20230703 7

<h4>Background</h4>To determine effects of sexual health curriculum (SHC) in medical school and mentorship on future specialty/subspecialty selection, we sought to evaluate the experiences of urology trainees and practicing urologists.<h4>Methods</h4>Residents, fellows, and practicing urologists completed a 15-question survey regarding their exposure to a SHC during medical school, topics covered, and the influence of mentors in their career choice. Summary statistics were used to identify trend ...[more]

PMID: 37554536

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Project description:PurposeSexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in medicine experience unique stressors in training. However, little is known about SGM specialty choice. This study examined predictors of SGM specialty choice, associations between specialty prestige and perceived SGM inclusion, and self-reported influences on specialty choice.MethodsMedical trainees and practitioners (358 SGM, 1528 non-SGM) were surveyed online. We operationalized specialty choice at the individual level as respondents' specialty of practice; at the specialty level, as a percentage of SGM respondents in each specialty. We examined specialty prestige, perceived SGM inclusivity, and medical school climate as predictors of SGM specialty choice, and we compared additional influences on specialty choice between SGM and non-SGM.ResultsThe percentage of SGM in each specialty was inversely related to specialty prestige (P = 0.001) and positively related to perceived SGM inclusivity (P = 0.01). Prestigious specialties were perceived as less SGM inclusive (P < 0.001). Medical school climate did not predict specialty prestige (P = 0.82). SGM were more likely than non-SGM to indicate that sexual and gender identity strongly influenced specialty choice (P < 0.01). SGM most frequently rated personality fit, specialty content, role models, and work-life balance as strong influences on specialty choice. Exposure as a medical student to SGM faculty did not predict specialty prestige among SGM.ConclusionSpecialty prestige and perceived inclusivity predict SGM specialty choice. SGM diversity initiatives in prestigious specialties may be particularly effective by addressing SGM inclusion directly. Further research is needed to inform effective mentorship for SGM medical students. Exposure to SGM in medical training reduces anti-SGM bias among medical professionals, and SGM in medicine often assume leadership roles in clinical care, education, and research regarding SGM health. Supporting and promoting SGM diversity across the spectrum of medical specialties, therefore, represents a critical avenue to improve the care delivered to SGM populations and addresses the role of providers in the health disparities experienced by SGM.

Project description:BackgroundPhysicians often report low levels of confidence in diagnosing and treating female sexual dysfunction (FSD), which may stem from inadequate education and exposure to the topic.AimThe study sought to determine the extent to which FSD is covered in undergraduate medical education and evaluate student comfort with the topic and familiarity with treatments.MethodsWe created a novel, 50-question survey to be administered online to any current U.S. medical student. Obstetrician-gynecologist clerkship directors at 146 U.S. medical schools were contacted and asked to invite any current student at their school to participate. A link to the electronic REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) survey was distributed to eligible students via the clerkship directors. The survey collected data regarding (1) coverage of FSD and male sexual dysfunction (MSD) in preclinical and clinical curricula, (2) student self-ratings of comfort in hypothetical scenarios in which a patient exhibits symptoms of FSD or MSD, and (3) student familiarity with treatments for FSD and MSD.OutcomesOutcomes included the proportion of students reporting that their school covered FSD/MSD in its preclinical/clinical curriculum, the mean comfort ratings for each of the FSD and MSD scenarios, and the proportion of students indicating knowledge of various FSD and MSD treatments.ResultsA smaller proportion of students (N = 236) reported receiving instruction in FSD (58.5%) compared with MSD (78.4%) in their preclinical curriculum (P < .001). Students' average self-ratings of comfort in the sexual dysfunction scenarios were significantly lower for patients with symptoms of FSD compared with MSD (P < .001). Students had higher average self-ratings of confidence in FSD scenarios if their intended specialty was obstetrician-gynecologist (P = .003), if their school included FSD in its clinical curriculum (P = .01), and if they had ever participated in the care of a patient with FSD (P = .006).Clinical implicationsThere are important gaps in the coverage of FSD in undergraduate medical education that may be mitigated through improvements to curriculum and increased exposure to patients with FSD.Strengths and limitationsThis is the first study, to our knowledge, to directly survey medical students regarding their educational experience and comfort with FSD. Our study was limited by a small sample size, the use of a novel and nonvalidated questionnaire, and the potential for bias given our sampling method.ConclusionMedical schools must work toward improving instruction in FSD for their students to address these disparities and improve students' comfort with the topic.

Project description:BackgroundDespite changes in social attitudes in the United States over the last decade, sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals continue to face significant health disparities, driven partly by disproportionately higher rates of self-reported discrimination and harassment when seeking healthcare. Historically, physicians have received little to no required training on how to provide sensitive, competent care to SGM patients, and continue to demonstrate poor competency with SGM topics despite calls for increased education and published guidelines to promote competency. The present study aimed to investigate competency with SGM topics among both faculty and medical students at one institution.MethodsThe authors distributed an anonymous online survey (2020-2021) to medical students and student-facing faculty at one allopathic medical school in the United States. The objective of the study was to evaluate knowledge, clinical skills, and self-reported competence with SGM topics.ResultsOf survey respondents, 223 medical students and 111 faculty were included in final analysis. On average, medical students were significantly more likely to answer General Knowledge questions correctly (97.2%) compared to faculty (89.9%). There were no significant differences in responses to Clinical Knowledge questions between medical students and faculty. however medical students were significantly more likely to report competence with eliciting a thorough sexual history, and faculty were significantly more likely to report receiving adequate clinical training and supervision to work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual patients.ConclusionsMedical students demonstrated significantly higher general knowledge about SGM topics compared to faculty. Medical students and faculty demonstrated similarly low average clinical knowledge, with percent correct 65.6% for students and 62.7% for faculty. Despite significant differences in general knowledge and low clinical knowledge, medical students and faculty self-reported similar levels of competence with these topics. This indicates insufficient curricular preparation to achieve the AAMC competencies necessary to care for SGM patients.

Project description:ImportanceAlthough sexual function is an indispensable part of overall human health, both male and female sexual dysfunction have been poorly addressed in China.ObjectiveTo explore the self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns related to sexual dysfunction among urologists and andrologists in China.Design, setting, and participantsThis survey study enrolled urologists and andrologists from various regions in China. Urologists and andrologists from 100 selected medical centers were invited to participate in the survey. Responses from eligible urologists and andrologists were analyzed from July 20 to 30, 2022.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcomes were the respondents' basic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns related to sexual dysfunction for both male and female patients.ResultsAmong 1687 urologists and andrologists (749 [98.7%] male; 375 participants [49.4%] aged 36-50 years) invited to participate, 759 were eligible, with 395 participants (52.0%) determined to have passing knowledge on diagnosis and treatment for male and female sexual dysfunction (defined as a score of 6 or more points) and 523 participants (68.9%) responding with positive attitudes, including interested in providing sex counseling and managing sexual issues for male and female patients. Moreover, of 395 individuals with passing knowledge, 289 participants (73.2%) were interested in providing sex counseling or sexual function care to patients; 336 participants (85.1%) thought they should routinely screen the spouse for sexual dysfunction when the partner was diagnosed with a sexual dysfunction. Among individuals with passing knowledge, 232 participants (58.7%) reported knowledge on the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation and 162 participants (41.0%) reported knowledge on the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction, which were significantly higher than rates among 364 participants with limited knowledge (premature ejaculation: 140 participants [38.5%]; erectile dysfunction: 78 participants [21.4%]). Only a few urologists and andrologists could manage female sexual dysfunction following guidelines, although the proportions were higher in the group with passing knowledge (38 participants [9.6%]) compared with those with less knowledge (5 participants [1.4%]). Additionally, most participants felt confident to manage male sexual issues (569 participants [75.0%] reporting often or almost always), while most of them were not so confident on female sexual issues (274 participants [36.1%] reporting often or almost always), mainly due to lacking knowledge in this field (518 participants [68.2%]).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings of this survey study suggest that urologists and andrologists in China lacked knowledge on sexual dysfunction, which in turn was associated with their attitudes and clinical practice patterns, especially for female sexual dysfunction. More training on sexual dysfunction should be undertaken to improve this situation.

Dataset Information

Perceived influence of medical school sexual health education on specialty selection in young urologists specializing in sexual dysfunction.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Perceived influence of medical school sexual health education on specialty selection in young urologists specializing in sexual dysfunction.

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