title: Educational program on sexual medicine for medical students: pilot project in Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the factors that influence the graduation of medical students in relation to the preparation of their approach to sexual health care. Teaching hours for sexual education in undergraduate medical courses are frequently insufficient to prepare them for their roles to treat this complex issue. This study aimed to evaluate the delivery of sexual education to medical students by assessing their knowledge, attitudes, and self-confidence to treat patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 1-day course was organized to tackle the main concerns of patients in respect to sexual health problems. The course was comprised of classes and time for students to discuss doubts with specialists. At the end of the course the knowledge of students on the subject and their confidence to care for patients with concerns on sexual issues were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-four medical students participated in the 1-day educational program on sexual medicine that included lectures about different topics and discussion. At the end of the course, students answered questionnaires about how the course had possibly improved their confidence regarding dealing with sexual issues. The analysis of the opinions of the students suggested an improvement in self-confidence with regard to discussing sexual behavior with patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated a necessity to increase knowledge and stimulate positive attitudes of students about sexuality thereby improving their ability to treat patients with sexuality problems.
authors: Department of Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), São Paulo, Brazil; ; Department of Urology, São José do Rio Preto Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Fernando Nestor
authors: FN
authors: Facio
authors: Department of Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), São Paulo, Brazil; ; Department of Urology, ABC Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Sidney
authors: S
authors: Glina
authors: Department of Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), São Paulo, Brazil; ; Department of Urology, Belo Horizonte University Center, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Luiz O
authors: LO
authors: Torres
authors: Department of Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), São Paulo, Brazil; ; Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Carmita
authors: C
authors: Abdo
authors: Department of Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: João A
authors: JA
authors: Abdo
authors: Department of Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine (SLAMS), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Geraldo
authors: G
authors: Faria
keywords: Medical school; medical students; sexual education