Education and Training in Human Sexuality

Abstract

It is suggested that human sexuality be overtly included as an integral part of undergraduate and postgraduate education, rather than continue with the present paradigm of acquiring knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding sex predominandy through a process of osmosis. With medical education under scrutiny in the UK, its European partners and worldwide, it would seem an appropriate time for a reappraisal of the marginal position of human sexuality in current teaching and training programmes. Consideration is given to the teaching of sexuality generally and more specialized training in specialities where sexual health, psychosexual medicine and/or sexual dysfunction feature as important aspects of the practitioner's work. Examples are given of the various ways postgraduate training in this area may be obtained at present. Some of the issues involved in adopting an integrated approach to undergraduate teaching and providing more in-depth training at postgraduate level are briefly discussed