Sexual dysfunction and schizophrenia: Psychiatrists' attitudes and training needs

Abstract

Aims and Method: We conducted a survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of sexual dysfunction and schizophrenia of general adult psychiatrists in Leicestershire and Lincolnshire mental health trusts. Results: Two-thirds of psychiatrists that we interviewed do not routinely enquire about sexual dysfunction in their patients and only 17% felt competent in assessing sexual dysfunction, despite 88% agreeing that good sexual function is important to patients. Most practitioners (81.6%) have had no training in this area and wanted some. Clinical Implications: Sexual dysfunction is under-recognised and possibly under-treated; suggestions on how to address this are made in this paper.