How does the Sexual Health Across Clinical Contexts (SHACC) discovery topic change MD students’ capacity, competence and confidence in sexual and reproductive health care?

Project Details

Sexual and reproductive health must be addressed by healthcare providers as part of overall patient health and wellbeing. There is a need for evidence around how medical students can be prepared to provide future non-judgemental sexual and reproductive health care. This study builds such evidence by examining student and tutor experiences with a Melbourne Medical School elective topic focused on sexual history taking and communication, abortion care and stigma. The elective is titled ‘Sexual Health across Clinical Contexts’ (SHACC).

The research questions we will explore in this qualitative study are:

RQ1: How does undertaking the SHACC discovery topic influence learners' skills, comfort, and readiness to discuss sensitive sexual and reproductive health issues?

RQ2: What are the elements of the SHACC MD year 1 and year 3 topic that are most influential on learners?

RQ3: In what ways does incorporating stigma explicitly in a medical school curriculum influence learners?