title: Sexual health education in U.S. physician assistant programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the 1950s, sexual health education in medical schools has been evaluated and reported upon, but there has never been an assessment published about sexual health curricula in U.S. physician assistant (PA) programs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to gain better understanding of how PA programs cover sexual health topics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January and March 2014, 181 accredited PA programs received a mailed survey inquiring about their sexual health curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey assessed general sexual health topics; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) topics; teaching methods; and the amount of time spent on sexual health education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 106 programs responded (59%). Ten programs offered a required, discrete course on human sexuality. The majority incorporated training into other coursework, which is consistent with most medical schools. LGBT topics were covered less thoroughly than the general sexual health topics. Total amount of time spent on sexual health topics varied widely among programs, from a minimum of 2-4 hours to a maximum of 60 hours, with a median of 12 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PA programs in the United States appear to compare favorably with the training offered to medical students in regard to time spent on sexual health education. Transgender issues were least well-covered of all the topics queried.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Breast Center, Madison, WI, USA.
authors: Lori A
authors: LA
authors: Seaborne
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors: Ronald J
authors: RJ
authors: Prince
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Kushner
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001727:Bisexuality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000193:education*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000193:education*; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D063106:Transgender Persons; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Physician Assistant Education; Physician Assistant Training; Reproductive Health; Sexual Health Education