Contraception and Sexual Health: Theory and Practice

Overview

This module aims to develop health care practitioners who are able to work sensitively with clients and understand the issues and management of contraception and sexually transmitted infections. Completion of this module will give you a strong foundation of clinical and theoretical skills in contraception and sexual health. It will enable you, as a health care practitioner, to contribute more effectively to the sexual health services and to evaluate the impact of sexual health policy and sexual health promotion strategies on service provision. Nurses will be deemed competent to work clinically in sexual health services.

Course content

This module will cover the following topics:

• Anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive system
• Assessment of men and women accessing contraceptive and sexual health services
• Contraceptive methods, their counselling and management
• Testing, diagnosis, treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections
• Current clinical and evidence based guidelines and the cultural and psychological effect of sexual health
• Diverse client groups, their needs and care
• Legal, ethical, professional dilemmas in contraceptive care

You will also have the opportunity to go on clinical placements which can be organised by the module leader.

Learning, teaching and assessment

A range of strategies will be used to encourage personal development, reflection and discussion through seminars and small groups. Teaching will be through blended learning which will entail online resources and lectures as well as face to face lectures and discussion groups involving critical incident analysis.

You will be required to attend one day a week over 9 weeks. The teaching and acquisition of clinical skills will take place in the practice setting as well as in the classroom following 35 hours of mentored clinical practice.

Assessment

• You will be assessed via an examination containing multiple choice and short answer questions (1.5 hours for level 6 or 2 hours for Level 7)
• Additionally for level 7, you will be examined via a clinical scenario addressing a complex contraceptive and sexual health issue
• You will also be required to complete the Clinical Assessment Document following 35 hours mentored clinical practice in designated contraception and sexual health clinics

Fees and funding

There are several funding options available:

• receiving course fees via CPPD contracts between NHS trusts and Middlesex University
• paying your own fees
• sponsorship by your employer (but not under a CPPD contract).

For more information for any of these options, including fee rates for self-funding/employer-sponsored students, please visit our dedicated funding page.