ARHP is sponsoring a continuing education program, Sexual Health Issues and Chronic Medical Conditions: Issues and Answers. The goal of this program is to improve clinicians’ ability to appropriately address women’s sexual health, particularly focusing on the links between chronic conditions and sexual health and wellness.
For more information about the program, please contact Camille Harris at charris@arhp.org or (202) 466-3825.
Background
Though sexual health can mean different things to different people—for one woman it may mean satisfaction with her sex life, for another it may mean having a good relationship with her partner—the vast majority of women agree that sexual health is a fundamental part of overall health and quality of life. Yet nearly half of all sexually active women experience problems such as lack of desire or pain with sex1-3 —and for women with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia or depression, sexual health problems are even more common and can lead to worse outcomes.4-6 Despite the high prevalence of female sexual health concerns and their related impact on women’s overall health and quality of life, these issues are widely misunderstood by women and their health care providers.
Female sexual health impacts and is impacted by common symptoms of menopause as well as several chronic conditions that are highly prevalent among women. With so many shared and overlapping symptoms, it is vital that clinicians are able to use an integrated, holistic approach when patients present in practice with one or more of these issues..
Program Design and Educational Activities
Curriculum Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the medical education sessions, participants should be able to:
- Identify the effect of chronic conditions on sexual health in order to maximize patient-centered care
- Utilize DSM IV diagnostic criteria to identify sexual health concerns in patients with chronic conditions
- Apply effective communication skills about sexual health, including initiating the discussion, evaluation and assessment
- Apply efficient treatment methods to address sexual health concerns in patients with chronic conditions
Intended Audience
Educational activities are intended for members of the primary care team who provide health services and education to women, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and support staff, who practice in ob/gyn, family medicine, internal medicine, and related specialties.
Accreditation
The curriculum live sessions, webinars, Clinical Minute activities, and DecisionPoint activities associated with this program will be accredited for continuing medical education, nursing contact hours (including pharmacology), and pharmacist credits.
Funding
This project is funded through an educational grant from Pfizer, Inc.
________________________________
- Berman L, Berman J, Felder S, et al. Seeking help for sexual function complaints: What gynecologists need to know about the female patient’s experience. Fertil Steril; 2003 Mar; 79(3):572-6.
- Laumann EO, Paik A, Rosen RC. Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors. JAMA; 1999 Feb 10; 281(6):537-44.
- Nusbaum MR, Braxton L, Strayhorn G. The sexual concerns of African American, Asian American, and white women seeking routine gynecologic care. J Am Board Fam Pract; 2005; 18(3):173-9.
- Aydin G, Baºar MM, Keleº I, et al. Relationship between sexual dysfunction and psychiatric status in premenopausal women with fibromyalgia. Urology. 2006;67:156-61.
- Kennedy SH, Rizvi S. Sexual dysfunction, depression, and the impact of antidepressants. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009 Apr; 29(2):157-64.
- Orellana C, Casado E, Masip M, et al. Sexual dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2008 Jul-Aug; 26(4):663-6.
