Guide to the exam
A Guide to the Qualification Examination and ESSM Preparation Courses
Sexual Medicine is a discipline concerned with the impact of physiology and psychophysiology, psychology and psycho-pathology, relationships, socio-cultural influences, developmental effects, sexual identity, sexual behaviors, gender identity and intergender differences on the sexuality of men and women of all ages, both as individuals and within the context of their relationships.
The aim is restoration of sexual health, a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being with respect to sexuality, as well as the management of sexual problems.
The MJCSM issues a certificate of recognition of quality of the training programme. Prior to entry into training in Sexual Medicine, candidates should be accredited in a medical specialty relevant to the practice of Sexual Medicine. Such specialties include Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine and General Practice, although this is not a comprehensive list.
The MJCSM determines the standards for training and assessment in Sexual Medicine. Successful candidates will be awarded on behalf of the MJCSM the title of “Fellow of European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM)”.
In 2014, 128 physicians took part in the MJCSM exam and 104 received FECSM qualification. In 2016, 104 physicians took part in the MJCSM exam and 91 received FECSM qualification. In 2018, 125 physicians took part in the MJCSM exam and 100 received FECSM qualification
Eligibility
The exam is set under the auspices of the UEMS but all nationalities, including countries outside the EU, are able to register for the exam.
Eligibility will be individually assessed according to the criteria set out below. The application forms will be reviewed by the examination committee of the MJCSM.
Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM)” is a particular qualification in Sexual Medicine awarded under auspices of the UEMS, the EU organization with responsibility for specialist medical practice.
Who can apply ?
- A registered medical practitioner who is either…
- Accredited as a medical specialist (at least by the time before the Exam date) in the country of practice,
OR
- A General Practitioner/Family Physician with more than 5 years’ clinical experience of unsupervised independent practice
How to apply:
Candidates need to fill out minimum 12 cases in the logbook available at the MJCSM website.
An online application form is released on this website a few months ahead and submitted to the Examination Committee. You will be demanded to upload the following documents:
MANDATORY DOCUMENTS
- A fully-completed APPLICATION form
- A description of his / her educational and clinical experience in the field of Sexual Medicine
- Proofs of medical qualifications/university graduation (in English language) authorized proofs may be requested. (upload of documents)
- 2 letters of recommendation (from head of department or from specialist societies – only preformatted letters are accepted) (upload of documents)
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
- License to practice or equivalent registration if applicable (upload of documents)
- A list of publications in the field of Sexual Medicine, if any (not obligatory)
Please be prepared to upload mandatory documents in PDF format (Proofs of medical qualifications/university graduation, two letters of recommendation according to a preformat you will find in the online application) as well as your license to practice or equivalent registration if applicable.
Please note:
Your registration is not complete until:
- All required documents are received.
- Your eligibility to sit the examination is confirmed by e-mail.
- The registration fee is received.
Examination format
The exams consists of 100 SBA (single best Answer) questions, divided into 5 topics:
- 15% in Basic sexual physiology and anatonomy
- 30% on Male sexual dysfunctions
- 30% on Female sexual dysfunctions
- 15% on Misellanea (gender dysphoria, iatrogenic disorders, sexually trasmitted infections, cancer)
- 10% on Other behaviours and paraphilia
The Right answers will be scored as 1, whilst wrong/missing answers will be scored as 0. The calculation of the pass mark will be performed after analysis of the results and definition of the distribution curve.
Preparation material and ESSM Preparation Courses
The ESSM Manual of Sexual Medicine is the preparation aterial endorsed by the ESSM, according to the curriculum estabilished by the MJCSM.
The publication will be made available (as online pdf version) to all applicants approved to sit the exam. The intensive 3 day’s ESSM Preparation Courses are held direclty before the exam day.
The following list of topics is only a guide to the topics that will be included in the examination:
The Sexual Physician must have acquired, and must maintain, specialised knowledge in the following areas, including relevant basic sciences:
1. Sexual development
a) Sexual differentiation and development, including developmental abnormalities of male and female genital and reproductive systems
b) Social and cultural factors in sexual development
c) Psychosexual development, including the development of gender identity and sexual orientation
d) The incorporation of sexuality into relationships
e) Mating strategies and patterns of sexual behaviour
2. Psychology and physiology of sexual response
a) Central and peripheral neurovascular mechanisms, including the role of higher brain centres
b) Role of hormones and the immune system
c) Genital and other peripheral responses
d) Orgasm, emission and ejaculation
3. Impact of gender
Similarities and differences between men and women in:
a) Psycho-physiological processes and how they are experienced
b) Patterns of sexual behaviour throughout life
c) Sexual attitudes
4. Sexual orientation
a) Theories of causation
b) Epidemiology
c) Impact on sexuality, sexual response and behaviours
d) Evolution of socio-cultural attitudes
5. Ageing and sexuality
a) The effect of physiological, psychological and socio-cultural factors on sexuality throughout life
b) Changes in sexual response throughout life
6. Sexual dysfunctions in men and women
a) Definitions, classification and systems of nomenclature
b) Epidemiology, pathophysiology and risk factors
c) Differentiation between sexual dysfunction and short term, or transient, alterations of sexual function
d) Diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunctions
i) Desire disorders
ii) Arousal disorders
iii) Orgasmic disorders
iv) Ejaculatory disorders
v) Genital pain and pelvic floor disorders
vi) Structural/anatomical abnormalities
7. Problematic or variant sexual behaviours
a) Paraphilia (exhibitionism, voyeurism, paedophilia, sadomasochism, fetishism, etc.)
b) Variant (behaviours other than peno-vaginal intercourse) sexual behaviours
c) High risk, compulsive and/or addictive sexual behaviour
d) Paraphilia, variant sexual behaviour and the law
8. Gender identity disorders
a) Theories of causation
b) Definitions, classification and systems of nomenclature
c) Epidemiology
d) Diagnosis, management and standards of care
9. Impact of other conditions on sexuality and sexual function
a) Somatic or psychic disorders and/or their treatment
b) Sexually transmitted infections
c) Sexual problems related to reproduction
d) Iatrogenic sexual problems, including the impact of drugs, surgery and radiation
e) Sexual violence and abuse
10. Clinical management of sexual disorders
a. Principles
i) Evidence based medicine
ii) Combination of psychosomatic and somato-medical approaches
iii) Interdisciplinary collaboration in Sexual Medicine
iv) Patient- and couple-centred care
b. Methods
i) Establishing and managing a Sexual Medicine service
ii) Educational
iii) Psychotherapeutic
iv) Pharmacological
v) Physical and surgical
vi) Integrative care
11. Ethical and legal aspects of Sexual Medicine
12. Research methods related to Sexual Medicine
13. History of Sexual Medicine
Exam Outcome
Pass or fail results will be send personally to each candidate; in the case of fai Iure a detailed description of the cutoff tor pass-fail decision should be provide . In the case of success candidate name will be also listed on the MJCSM website in the section related to successful candidates. In the event of fail-decision refusal, candidate is invited to follow the appeal procedure by completing the “A eal form of the Fail decision of the exam” and sending within 15 days from notification of exam to mjcsm@aimgroup.eu. The appeal procedure will be managed by the Examination Committee that will evaluate the appeal and send point-by-point reply with a final decision to the candidate.
lt is recommended that this cover form is used when submitting a procedura! document to the MJCSM Examination committee to Appeal of the Fail de · ion of the exam. Please note that this form cannot be submitted if not fully completed.
lt should always be accompanied by a written submission or pleading. This form can be downloaded from MJCSM website and completed on screen. you are completing the form by hand, please write legibly using black or blue ink.
To submit an Appeal to the MJCSM Examination Committee use this form (link to a form).
Please notice the maximum number of attempts of by a candidate is three
MJCSM Curriculum
The Multidisciplinary joint committee for Sexual Medicine (MJCSM) has formulated a new curriculum for training in SM. This document has the aim to present recommended standards and guidelines for training in SM within t he European Union (EU) in order to acquire specialist competence in SM. The primary goal is that this curriculum will constitute an approved training program in all countries within the EU where SM is practiced.
