(208) Enhancing Opportunities for Sexuality Assessment During Initial Mental Health Assessments: Barriers and Enablers for Psychiatric Registrars

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Assessments of sexuality and sexual wellbeing is recommended as “best practice” in psychiatric assessments, however, education opportunities on sexuality and sexual wellbeing do not feature prominently in the training curriculum of psychiatric trainees in Australia. Objective To explore the training experiences of psychiatric trainees and identify barriers and enablers to enhance human sexuality assessments within mental health assessments. Methods Qualitative inquiry was adopted to allow for exploration of the issues. Semi-structured interviews of psychiatric trainees based at a metropolitan hospital and health service were conducted and analysed with a thematic analysis approach. Results Seven emergent themes were identified: barriers and enablers, skills and competence, inadequate training within the psychiatry training program, the belief that human sexuality is important to psychiatry, and training needs. Conclusions Psychiatric trainees believe that human sexuality and sexual wellbeing are an important part of mental health assessments. Despite this belief, participants reported a lack of direct training in sexual history taking, treatment of sexual issues, and sexual wellbeing, leading to an overall lack of confidence in assessing patients’ sexuality within mental health assessments. Psychiatrists of all levels of training require specific, regular education regarding human sexuality to ensure sound knowledge and consistent patient care. Disclosure No.