Sexual health consultations require good general communication skills
and an ability to discuss issues such as sexual orientation and sexual
practices sensitively and without embarrassment. Whereas the former a
re usually taught at medical school the latter are not. This paper des
cribes the development and evaluation of a sexual health communication
skills course for fifth-year medical students. It documents students'
limited experience of discussing sexual health issues with patients a
nd the significant decrease in their feelings of discomfort about doin
g so after a single two-hour training session. Some 97% of students fe
lt that the course was relevant to clinical practice and all found it
enjoyable. On the basis of this information the authors recommend that
other medical schools run similar courses.