Explore postgraduate training pathways in regional Queensland.
Sexual Health Medicine
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.
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!
Dr Arun Menon
Sexual Health Medicine Physician - Townsville University Hospital
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.
2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year)
Eligible Applications Received
Applicants Selected
The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications.
Specialists
New fellows
Specialists
New fellows
Number of specialists / Number of new fellows
Number of trainees - QLD
Average weekly hours
Sexual Health Medicine – Information
Number of specialists - QLD (2021)
Number of new fellows - QLD
Number of specialists - AUS (2021)
Number of new fellows - AUS
Average weekly hours
QLD
Average Age
QLD
% Aged 60+
QLD
71% of 2022 workforce intend to retire by 2032
Proportion Female/Male - QLD
Male
Female
Location - QLD
Regional
Major cities
Public/Private QLD
Private
Public
Number of trainees - QLD
Number of new trainees - QLD
Number of trainees - AUS
Number of new trainees - AUS
Proportion Female/Male trainees - QLD
Female
Male
2023 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year)
Eligible Applications Received
Applicants Selected
The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications*
The data was sourced from the relevant medical specialist college, or from selection committees coordinated by a Queensland Health pathway/network, or an individual facility.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This data reflects a point in time figure for the selection of applicants commencing the first year of an accredited training program in the 2023 clinical year.
* eligible applications are determined by selection committees according to the eligibility criteria and required documentation prescribed by the relevant medical specialist college.
The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2023 to the total number of eligible applications.
Queensland Trainees 2015-2022
Length of Training
3 years full-time (advanced training)
Method of Allocation
College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:
- College
- Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)
- 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.
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Regional Training Pathways