Sexual health innovations in undergraduate medical education

Emily Ferrara, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Michele P. Pugnaire, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Julie A. Jonassen, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Katherine O'Dell, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Marjorie Clay, University of Massachusetts Medical School
David S. Hatem, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Michele M. Carlin, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Abstract

Recent national and global initiatives have drawn attention to the importance of sexual health to individuals' well-being. These initiatives advocate enhancement of efforts to address this under-represented topic in health professions curricula. University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) has undertaken a comprehensive effort to develop an integrated curriculum in sexual health. The UMMS project draws upon the expertise of a multidisciplinary faculty of clinicians, basic scientists, a medical ethicist, and educators. This article describes the project's genesis and development at UMMS, and reports on three innovations in sexual health education implemented as part of this endeavor.