Doctors Told They Lack Sex Knowledge (Press, 20 September 1967)
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Summary: Doctors Told They Lack Sex Knowledge (Press, 20 September 1967)
On 19 September 1967, Dr Harold Lief of the University of Pennsylvania addressed a symposium held by the American Academy of General Practice in New York, highlighting a significant gap in sex education among medical practitioners. He informed around 700 general practitioners, many of whom attended the event with their spouses, that many doctors possess knowledge about reproductive physiology and pathology but are generally ill-informed about broader sexual knowledge compared to their patients. This inadequacy is attributed to medical schools providing insufficient training in sex education, leaving physicians to self-educate in this crucial area. Dr Lief pointed out that a doctor's personal biases and discomfort often prevent them from fully addressing sexual issues when patients bring them up. He stressed the importance of developing effective medical history-taking and interviewing skills in order to better engage with patients on sexual matters. Another speaker, Dr Alfred Auerback from the University of California, focused on understanding sexual deviations. He presented data suggesting that four per cent of American men are exclusively homosexual throughout their lives, while 18 per cent had engaged in homosexual behaviour for three or more years, and 37 per cent had experienced at least one homosexual encounter. Dr Auerback argued that both male and female homosexuality stem from disturbed family relationships and impaired identifications, rejecting any biological basis for homosexuality. He also critiqued the term "sex crime," stating that it reflects societal attitudes rather than the actual nature of the behaviours, claiming that most individuals deemed "deviant" generally do not cause significant physical or psychological harm. The symposium's discussions underscored the pressing need for enhanced sex education in medical training and a more informed and empathetic approach from healthcare professionals when addressing sexual health concerns with their patients.
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