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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
MD Education Program

Human Sexuality and Health Scholarly Concentration

The Human Sexuality and Health Scholarly Concentration introduces students to a range of issues related to sex, gender and sexuality and how these characteristics intersect with the practice of medicine. Topics include: sexual health, sex and gender development and variation; sexuality and sexual fluidity; sexual and romantic relationships; contraception and reproduction; STIs and HIV prevention; etc. Students learn about the impact of sex and sexuality on health discrepancies and current best practices for addressing sex and gender related issues with patients. This concentration is a partnership with the Kinsey Institute and provides students the opportunity to work with faculty researchers on a range of topics related to sex and sexuality.

Locations

Students will participate online and onsite in Bloomington.

Curriculum and Timeline

Students completing the Human Sexuality and Health concentration fulfill the same core curriculum as students in other concentrations. The didactic components provide a strong academic and experiential foundation in a range of issues related to sex, gender, and sexuality as they relate to the practice of medicine that will be vital for completion of the core curriculum project and product.

Topic-Specific Course

Introduction to Human Sexuality

Critical Issues in Sexuality and Health

Core Curriculum

Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship

Scholarly Concentration Project

Scholarly Concentration Product

Recommended Pathway

Phase 1 Year 1

  • No courses

Summer 1

  • Introduction to Human Sexuality — Offered in the summer and winter; online synchronous
  • Critical Issues in Sexuality and Health — Offered in the summer and winter; online synchronous
  • Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship — Offered in the summer and winter; online asynchronous
  • Scholarly Concentration Project — Begins in the summer and continues longitudinally until complete. Location by agreement with concentration leaders and mentor.

Phase 1 Year 2

  • Scholarly Concentration Project continues

Phase 2

  • Scholarly Concentration Project continues

Phase 3

  • Scholarly Concentration Project completed
  • Scholarly Concentration Product — Begins in Phase 3 and continues until complete. Location by agreement with concentration leaders and mentor.

This table shows that the first three topic specific courses, which should be completed during the summer between first and second year of med school. The two remaining courses, project and product, are also longitudinal. The project can begin as soon as the summer between first and second year of med school, while the product should begin during phase three and conclude on or before the end of fourth year.

Students determine if a concentration pathway will fit in their schedule by contacting concentration co-directors. 

Scholarly Project Topic Examples

Students work with faculty to complete a project in a relevant topic based on student interests. Students are welcome to come up with their own project idea. Potential project topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Reproduction and sexuality, postpartum depression, birth interventions, and oxytocin health administration
  • Romantic and sexual relationships
  • Jail assessment of routine HIV/HCV testing
  • Condom use, misuse, and errors in health equity
  • Sexual and gender development
  • Human sexuality education
  • Sexual trauma, physical health, and psychological well-being

Student Testimonials

Keeley NewsomWhat was the inspiration for your scholarly project?

I realized there was a large gap in LGBTQIA+ education and exposure while in medical training, and I wanted to figure out how this influenced medical students’ knowledge and attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community and LGBTQIA+ health. My hope was to find intervention points in which medical training could be improved to ensure that our future physicians provide affirming care for folks of all sexual orientations and gender identities. I sent a survey to people who identify as LGBTQUIA+ living in southern Indiana. These data have been really enlightening, and we are now using it to guide efforts to open a free, student-run clinic for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tari Kurman

How will your participation in the Human Sexuality and Health Scholarly Concentration contribute to your overall career aspirations in medicine?

I think the scholarly concentration will make me a better physician regardless of what field I go into, because I believe the clinical practices we use to improve health care for LGBTQ+ patients can be applied to improve health care for all patients. I also know that no matter what field I practice in, I will have patients who identify as LGBTQ+, and I want to make it easier for these patients to access health care and feel safe and comfortable doing so.

Co-Directors

Students should reach out to co-directors with any questions about this concentration.

portrait of justin garcia

Justin R. Garcia, PhD

Executive Director and Senior Scientist, Kinsey Institute
Ruth N. Halls Endowed Professor of Gender Studies

Bio and Contact Information

jessica hille

Jessica Hille, JD, PhD

Assistant Director for Education, Kinsey Institute
Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine

Bio and Contact Information

23210-Rudick, Charles

Charles N. Rudick, PhD

Assistant Director of Medical Education, Bloomington
Assistant Dean for Curriculum, Phase 1

Bio and Contact Information

Outline of Indiana with a star marking the location of Bloomington in the soutth-central part of the state. Text on the illustration says Human Sexuality and Health
MD Student News

Exploring the Human Sexuality and Health scholarly concentration

Learn about the Human Sexuality and Health scholarly concentration, which teaches students about the impact of sex and sexuality on health discrepancies and current best practices for addressing sex and gender-related issues with patients.