Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Does Medical School Prepare Doctors To Treat Sexual Health?, Sonjia Kenya, Breanne Young, Fabiola Joseph, Olveen Carrasquillo

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Does Medical School Prepare Doctors to Treat Sexual Health?

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual function is a normative process warranting the equal attention of preventive and treatment services throughout the lifespan. Despite growing recognition of the value of human sexuality in clinical settings, there is no standardized sexual wellness curriculum universally administered in medical schools. Accordingly, many current and future physicians feel underprepared when taking care of patients’ sexual health needs.

Methods: To strengthen sexual health knowledge among medical students in Miami, we conducted a brief workshop in February 2020 and March 2021. The workshop provided an introductory overview of the physiology …

Supporting Mental, Emotional, And Sexual Wellness For Lgbtq+ College Students: A Special Commentary, Devyn Savitsky, Madeleine Stevens, Mahmoud Yacoub

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

This brief commentary addresses the importance of campus-wide sexual health initiatives for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other sexual and affectional identities (LGBTQ+) college students. LGBTQ+ college students in the emerging adulthood life stage are particularly susceptible to stigmatized, inequitable physical and mental healthcare, making the need for intentional and affirming support from college counselors, on-campus healthcare providers, and student affairs professionals essential. This article addresses LGBTQ+ friendly communication strategies, specific counseling modalities for work surrounding LGBTQ+ college student sexual health, implications for counselor education and supervision, as well as ongoing research priorities for college counselors. Because sexual health …

Abstinence-Only Sex Education In Public Schools: A Special Commentary, Julianna Williams

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Abstinence Only Until Marriage (AOUM) programs, also known as Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) programs, are non-comprehensive, religion and values-based programs that are still widely used, and supported by government funding, in schools around the United States of America. Content of these programs include messages of misogyny, heteronormativity, and racism, among others. Existing research has indicated that sex education programs lack efficacy in prevention or reduction in teen pregnancy and STI infection. However, little research has investigated the potentially harmful impact of biased messaging to long term sexual and mental health and well-being. In this commentary, I highlight some of the …