Specialty overview

Sexual health physicians provide specialist care to ensure their patients engage in healthy sexual relations, including ensuring they are free from sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and physical or psychological discomfort associated with sexuality.

Clinical practice

Sexual health physicians are predominately employed in public health care settings such as sexual health clinics. Sexual health physicians treat and provide care for their patients through education, promotion of behavioural change, advocacy, targeted medical and laboratory screening, diagnostic testing, clinical service provision, surveillance and research. Sexual health physicians are also heavily involved in the promotion of the sexual health of the broader community.

Key statistics

2023 QLD Training program selections(first year)

4
eligible

1
selected

This doughnut chart shows the proportion of applications recieved vs applicants selected. Eligible applications received is 4, Applicants selected is 1.

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

15

Number of QLD specialists

118

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

1

Number of QLD new fellows

6

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

5

Number of QLD trainees

35.2

Average weekly hours

Information on specialists

  • 15

    Number of QLD specialists

  • 1

    Number of QLD new fellows

  • 35.2 hours

    Average weekly hours QLD

  • 58 years

    Average age QLD

  • Specialists over 60

    This donut chart shows that 43% of specialists are aged over 60 years.

  • Specialist intending to retire by 2032

    This donut chart shows that 71% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032.

  • Location in Queensland

    This donut chart shows the percentage of specialists by their location: 14.3% are located in regional Queensland, 85.7% are in major cities, and 0% are in remote areas. The chart highlights that a vast majority of specialists are based in major cities.

  • Proportion Female/Male - QLD

    64.3%
    male

    35.7%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 64.3%, Females are 35.7%.

  • Public vs Private

    15.4%
    private

    84.6%
    public

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of public and private specialists. Private is 15.4%, Public is 84.6%.

Information on trainees

  • 5

    Number of Queensland trainees

  • 1

    Number of new Queensland trainees

  • 40

    Number of Australian trainees

  • 10

    Number of new Australian trainees

  • Proportion female/male trainees in Queensland

    0%
    male

    100%
    female

    This doughnut chart shows the proportion of males and females. Males are 0%, Females are 100%.

  • 2023 QLD Training program selections (first year)

    4
    eligible

    1
    selected

    This doughnut chart shows the number of 2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year). 4 Eligible applications were received, 1 of those were selected.

Number of Queensland trainees 2015-2022

This line chart shows the trend of the number of Queensland trainees from 2015 to 2022. The data points are: 2015 - 1 trainees, 2016 - 1 trainees, 2017 - 2 trainees, 2018 - 0 trainees, 2019 - 3 trainees, 2020 - 4 trainees, 2021 - 5 trainees, 2022 - 6 trainees.

What our staff have to say

Testimonial icon

Dr Arun Menon

Sexual Health Medicine Physician
Townsville University Hospital

I fell into sexual health via tropical and public health medicine while working in West Africa. It is commonly believed that sexual health is about the “Pox”. Nothing could be further from the reality of this fascinating “Cinderella” speciality. Promoting sexual wellbeing, minimising stigma and ensuring equitable access is at the core of the services. We certainly help people deal with infections of intimacy; however, sexual health also encompasses providing the entire range of reproductive health services, managing blood borne viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C infections, assisting the gender diverse population to be who they want to be, aiding patients to regain sexual function after significant medical ill health, cancer therapy or surgery. Sexual health requires working at the intersections of tolerance, flexibility, history, culture, human rights, diversity and relationships. Our clients are from across the age spectrum and include many marginalised groups. It is also a specialty with fantastic opportunities to work in diverse urban, rural, remote and global settings!

Training information

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (RACP-AChSHM)

Length of training

3 years full-time (advanced training)

Method of allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACP-AChSHM.

Training program overview

Sexual health medicine advanced training is overseen by the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (AChSHM), following completion of requirements for basic training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Training incorporates work-based learning and assessment, with successful trainees attaining the qualification of Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (FAChSHM) with accreditation to practise as a Sexual Health Medicine specialist in Australia or New Zealand.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold current medical registration, have completed either RACP Basic Training requirements (including Written and Clinical Examinations) or hold a Fellowship of a chapter approved college or faculty and have secured appointment to an appropriate advanced training position.

Flexibility

Minimum 0.2 full-time equivalent commitment. Training program must be completed within 8 years.

Interrupted training

Allowed. Interruptions of more than 12 continuous months may require the development of a Return to Training Plan in collaboration with a supervisor and approval from the relevant training committee.

Training locations

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Last updated: September 2024