(073) WOMEN'S SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION TRAINING MODULE INCREASES SCREENING COMFORT
Authors: Pham V , Contractor M , Adams W , Tenfelde S , Lynn M 
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction in women affects approximately 40% of patients, however, many providers fail to screen for it. The continual lack of screening presents limited opportunities for healthcare trainees to observe, learn and master this skill. Approximately half of medical students feel inadequately prepared to discuss these diagnoses with patients. For this reason, experts advocated a multidisciplinary, longitudinal sexual health education approach to address the exposure of women’s sexual health in the clinical setting. In order to address this issue, our institution created a module focusing on sexual dysfunction in women to educate healthcare students on screening, assessment and baseline treatment for the most common dysfunction, hypoactive sexual desire disorder or decreased libido. This module was created by a gynecologist and reviewed by professors in the psychology department and graduate nursing school. Additionally, it was approved by the medical school for use. It simulates a clinical rotation to emphasize screening for sexual dysfunction in women and baseline evaluation of decreased libido using a biopsychosocial model.

Objective

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate changes in students’ comfort level who screen for women’s sexual dysfunctions after completion of the Female Sexual Dysfunction Module. Additionally, we aim to assess the over baseline level of comfort in screening and determine if knowledge about when to screen is gained through the module.

Methods

This study was IRB approved. US medical students and graduate nursing students were approached via email to complete demographic information, a pre-survey, module, and post-survey. In the redcap survey, participants were asked to identify scenarios appropriate to broach the subject of a patient's sexual functioning. Additionally, they were asked to rate their comfort level asking patients about sexual desire, dyspareunia, and anorgasmia as well as general knowledge-based questions about sexual dysfunction in women.

Results

This study surveyed 425 medical students and nursing students from over 70 institutions across the US. Compared to their pre-module response, more respondents felt it was appropriate to query patients about their sexual functioning following the module (all p &lt; .05). Respondents were also far more comfortable asking patients about their sexual health after the module compared to pre-module responses (all p &lt; .05). Compared to their pre-module response, more respondents correctly identified the components of the linear female sexual response cycle created by Masters and Johnson (24.8% versus 61.6%; p &lt; .001), and more respondents identified the components of the Plisst screening model (6.3% versus 53.7%; p &lt; .001).

Conclusions

This nationwide study demonstrates our module provides statistical improvement in students’ comfort level when screening for female sexual dysfunction. It agrees with previous studies in terms of healthcare trainees’ overall lower baseline aptitude with this diagnosis and shows that this module statistically increases knowledge These results support using interactive modules in healthcare training curricula in order to standardize training. It can be especially helpful for schools where clinical exposure to this diagnosis is sparse. To further elucidate the most efficacious method of teaching, this study recommends future directions to assess the various models of sexual medicine education.

Disclosure

No.