Oral papers
A Survey on Experience Of Singaporean Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Family Medicine in Managing Sexual Problems and Training in Sexual Medicine
Z. Huang
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National University Health Systems, Singapore
S. Logan
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National University Health Systems, Singapore
P. G. Adaikan
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National University of Singapore, Singapore
https://doi.org/10.21465/2016-KP-OP-0004
Fulltext (english, pages 11-11).pdf
Abstracts
Objective: Sexual problems are common. Asian patients may have more difficulty seeking help due to a conservative culture. Both Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (OBGYN) and Family Medicine (FM) doctors are ideally placed to address sexual problems directly. This survey explored the experience of trainees in OBGYN and FM in managing sexual problems and training in Sexual Medicine (SM).
Design and Method: A survey was sent anonymously online to all Singaporean trainees in FM and OBGYN during December 2015.
Results: The overall response was 32.2% (69/214)- 41.1% (53/129) of the FM and 21.3% (16/75) of OBGYN trainees. Seventy-two percent were female, with less than 10% senior residents. Two-thirds attended Singaporean medical schools. Twenty-nine percent encountered patients with sexual problems at least once monthly. Most would refer these patients to gynaecologists/urologists, followed by sex therapists. More than three-quarters were not confident in managing either sex. Amongst the recognized categories, only 42% felt confident to manage erectile dysfunction, 17% for vaginismus, while less than 10% felt confident to manage libido, arousal or orgasm disorders. Ninety-four percent agreed that SM should be part of the training curriculum and 65% suggested that this began at junior residency. Eighty-seven percent of them were interested to obtain further knowledge and skills through their training curriculum or psychosexual seminars.
Conclusions: This survey reported a significant number of trainees in OBGYN & FM are regularly exposed to sexual problem patients but lack the skills to manage them. The results support the need for SM to be incorporated into both national residency program curricula.