Healthcare Providers are Well Educated in Sxuality

Myth-busting Monday: Healthcare providers are well educated in sexuality and sexual well-being.

 

It depends, of course, but typically this is false.

 

Medical schools do not provide adequate education to students and residents in sexuality, which leaves many providers feeling unprepared to address concerns of their clients1,2.  Further, the medical providers personal biases may not be addressed; this assessment of and challenge to personal biases are a part of the credentialed and reputable training programs in sexual well-being (often called a SAR, or sexual attitudes reassessment). When in a position of power, as providers are in their interactions with clients, their biases and/or discomfort can perpetuate misinformation, silence, and shame around sexuality3.

 

This lack of preparedness means that a provider has to seek out opportunities to supplement their own education outside of the workplace.  This can be challenging secondary to time and financial constraints, as well as workplace resistance (sometimes the particular healthcare system itself creates a toxic and silencing work environment around sexuality; even if providers want to help their clients and have the information to do so, they might not be supported in doing so)3.  Further, many providers are under significant time constraints and cannot address the complicated and nuanced topic of sexuality in a one and done, 5 minute conversation3.

 

This is where a sexuality counselor can serve both the client and the provider. Sexuality counselors are helping professionals with graduate level degrees and additional training in sexuality (I am one!).  This additional training lets sexuality counselors address topics of sexual well-being with depth, cultural context, an understanding of research findings, and current/appropriate language. For example, I have participated in recent in-services and educational opportunities with providers in sexual medicine (pelvic health professionals of various kinds).  I mentioned that most often, I work with clients exhibiting desire discrepancies.  These providers had not heard that term before (which is a BIG DEAL, as this is such a common concern!!4).

 

Sexuality counselors have the time for prolonged discussions about sexuality, which can take several sessions and several hours (not kidding; I could talka about this stuff forever – total se).  We are different from sexuality therapists in that we are not mental health providers and are therefore not the first provider of choice if you are working to heal a trauma or are in a relationship in crisis (though counselors can be a supportive team member here; I can and do work with clients actively in therapy to supplement their sexuality understanding and concerns).  Similarly, we can work directly with OBGYNs – we do not provide internal assessments (unless there are additional certifications for that counselor) or prescribe medications, which might be necessary for some clients.

 

If you have questions or concerns regarding sexuality and sexual well-being in general, seek out a trained sexual well-being professional (educator, counselor, or therapist).  Ask the professional what training they have had, if they are AASECT5 certified or if they working toward that certification.

 

If your current healthcare provider cannot do that for you, there may be a reason (see above) – you deserve to have your questions answered and concerns addressed, so please keep searching for the right professional relationship.

 

References and resources:

  1. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/sexual-health-education-medical-school-comprehensive-curriculum/2014-11
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34711518/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30302844/
  4. I wrote a bit about desire discrepancy here: https://ignitewell-being.com/low-desire-means-there-is-something-wrong-with-you/
  5. https://www.aasect.org/

 

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The above content is written by Dr. Allison Mitch, PT (DPT), RYT500; sex-positive, trauma-informed sexuality counselor and educator (she/her/they/them); copyright protected, please cite accordingly.  The graphic is mine.

 

For more offerings that support sexual well-being, please see: https://ignitewell-being.com/upcoming_events/    For more information on my offerings or to work with me directly, please email [email protected]

 

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