Basis and Concept

Sexual dysfunctions are often the cause of emotional and physical problems or conflicts in relationships. However they can also be the result of complex, usually chronic illnesses such as urologic, gynecologic, oncologic, cardiac, endocrine-metabolic, rheumatic, neurologic problems, HIV infection or their therapies. Sexual dysfunctions (of function, behavior, gender identity) do not usually affect only the patient, but also their partner and family and in this way have serious sociopolitical effects.

The facts named above, along with the prevalence of sexual (functional) dysfunctions and particularly their clinical relevance as the cause of “high suffering and interpersonal difficulties” (DSM-IV) and their effect on health and wellbeing (WHO), show the need for medical competence in therapy and treatment. This is also expected by the patient; however it is still not available due to its taboo status, the underestimation of the number of problems and lack of education.

This deficit should be alleviated by both educational modules, beginning with the relaying of basic knowledge all the way to a solid qualification. Due to the multitude of illnesses requiring competency in sexual medicine, this studies program is geared towards a broad spectrum of general practitioners, urologists, gynecologists, oncologists, internist, rheumatologists, endocrinologists, dermatologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, pediatric psychiatrists, pediatricians and many others.