Communication skills training in the area of human sexuality

Abstract Communication skills training is now an important part of undergraduate medical education. Communication in the area of human sexuality is an area not often dealt with. This paper describes a course for fifth year students in this area at the Queen's University, Belfast. The students were given a short course on communication in human sexuality in relation to psychosexual medicine, obstetrics, gynaecology and genitourinary medicine. This was assessed by Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The results showed that the majority of students had difficulties communicating in the area of sexual behaviour. They were much better in the areas of obstetrics, gynaecology and genitourinary medicine.