Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit offered as an elective to Graduate Diploma of Family Medicine and Master of Family Medicine students aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information in sexual health, in order to equip general practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide a high quality of care in this area. This unit focuses on assessment and management of common reproductive and sexual health problems encountered in general practice. Topics covered include female and male reproductive physiology; use of the oral contraceptive pill and other hormonal methods of contraception; use of other methods of contraception, including emergency contraception, barrier methods, the intrauterine contraceptive device and natural family planning; management of unplanned pregnancy, including counselling, medical and surgical methods of aborton, legal and ethical aspects of abortion; assessment and management of common gynaecological problems; understanding and management of subfertility; issues of sexuality and sexual counselling.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students should:

1. Have a clear understanding of female and male reproductive physiology;
2. Have developed a good working knowledge of available forms of contraception, and an understanding of the principles of counselling women and men about their safe and appropriate use;
3. Be able to critically appraise arguments concerning some of the common controversial issues related to sexual and reproductive health;
4. Be competent to diagnose and manage common sexually transmitted diseases, and to effectively counsel patients regarding safe sexual practices;
5. Understand the principles of management of common gynaecological problems such as abnormal PAP smears and dysfunctional uterine bleeding;
6. Be able to appropriately advise and manage couples presenting with subfertility;
7. Recognise the issues involved when a woman presents with an unplanned pregnancy, and understand the principles of providing non-judgemental counselling in this situation; and
8. Develop knowledge and skills in conducting a clinical audit, and gain an understanding of the potential of audits to improve clinical practice.

Assessment

Journal (70%)
Clinical Audit (30%)