Sexual Health Medicine

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

Number of Queensland and Australian specialists

Number of QLD specialists

118

Number of Australian specialists

Number of Queensland and Australian new fellows

Number of QLD new fellows

Number of Australian new fellows

Number of Queensland trainees and average work hours

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

What our staff have to say

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

Last updated: September 2024