Improving women's sexual health: a quantitative evaluation of an educational intervention for healthcare professionals

Forty-three per cent of women in the USA report some type of sexual complaint and these complaints have been shown to negatively impact quality of life and overall wellbeing. With proper training and experience, healthcare professionals are in a unique position to help their patients improve their sexual health. The present study was designed to increase knowledge about female sexual dysfunction by offering a continuing education workshop combining didactic and experiential learning. Healthcare professionals representing the specialties of obstetrics, gynaecology, primary care, psychiatry and psychology attended the conference. Participants completed a pre- and post-test questionnaire assessing levels of comfort, competence, attitudes toward female sexual health and readiness for change. Using the pre- and post-test questionnaire, participants reported a significant increase in awareness about the importance of discussing issues of sexual health with their patients. Participants also reported motivation ( or intent) to ask their patients about their sexual health. Providing information about female sexual dysfunction and its impact on patients' quality of life, effective treatments and referral resources as well as giving healthcare professionals an opportunity to practise asking about sexual health with facilitated feedback may significantly improve their motivation to respond to female sexual complaints.