Sexuality Education: A Critical Need

Sexual wellness is a human right; unfortunately, many persons around the world do not have access to education and healthcare essential to promote sexual wellness [1]. Educating students, trainees, and practicing physicians on how best to serve their patients as reliable resources on sexuality‐related issues is hence a critical priority [2]. Aside from promoting wellness, education and recruitment of a new generation of sexuality experts ensure the continued vitality of the global sexual medicine community. Despite landmark strides in our understanding of human sexuality (both biological and psychosocial), the ability of providers to care for patients with sexual health concerns continues to lag far behind the expectations of our patients [3]. Sexuality influences (and is influenced by) all manner of mental and physical processes. Hence, even those healthcare providers who do not routinely consider sexuality in their practices should be aware of how the conditions they treat and the treatments utilized may influence sexual expression. It is essential that a fundamental body of knowledge on human sexuality be imparted to learners in undergraduate medical or mental health professional education [4]. After acquisition of fundamentals during the undergraduate years, specialized training tailored to specific disciplines can continue in residency or similar postgraduate training.