A medical training program has been established recognising the limited clinical and research expertise in Andrology (reproductive disorders in men) and the need for a holistic approach to male health more generally in South Australia.
The inaugural 12-month training program in the Central Adelaide Health Network starting in February 2022 is primarily funded by Bellberry Ltd, with additional funding from Healthy Male (Andrology Australia) and the Freemasons Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing (FCMHW).
The inaugural Fellow in the program is Dr Andrew Peel, who will be based in the Endocrinology unit.
CEO of Bellberry Ltd, Ms Kylie Sproston said that Bellberry is proud to partner in this initiative under Bellberry’s grant funding for collaborative research projects, recognising its potential impact on the health and wellbeing of men. “Ethically, in research and practice, consideration must be given to sex and gender because of how these influence the prevalence, presentation, treatment, and outcomes of various conditions,” said Ms Sproston. “This is recognised federally by separate Australian Women’s and Men’s Health Strategies. It is important that we invest in the training of health care professionals in research and clinical practice that address the specific health needs of men.”
CEO of Healthy Male, Mr Simon von Saldern said that it is increasingly recognised that male health needs should be considered beyond the traditionally narrow confines of urology and reproductive clinics that are seen to currently focus more on women.
“Men have a broad range of health needs that transcend the boundaries of our current subspecialities. The evidence is that these needs are not currently being met”, said Professor Wittert, Director of the SA Division of FCMHW at the University of Adelaide and SAHMRI.
“Chronic disorders such as obesity, sleep apnoea, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression intersect with disorders of reproductive, sexual, and lower urinary tract function in men, interrelationships that may fall in the gaps between medical specialties,” said Professor Wittert. “Examples include the complex health needs of men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, and sexual or lower urinary tract dysfunction in men with other complex health conditions.”
Associate Professor David Jesudason, Head of the Speciality Medicine 2 Unit at CALHN commented that while the Fellowship is not exclusive to trainees interested in specialising in endocrinology, the discipline is a good basis for a men’s health clinical position as the discipline requires an in-depth knowledge of all organ systems given the vast array of pathologies and the multisystem effects of endocrinological disorders.
In keeping with this, the Endocrine Society of Australia has provided its full endorsement of the training program.
David Booker, Grand Master of Freemasons SA/NT and Director of Masonic Charities, the major funding partner of FCMHW, reinforced the importance of initiatives such as this, that are enabled through strong partnerships that will impact positively on males, and therefore their families and communities.
Contact for media:
Professor Gary Wittert, gary.wittert@adelaide.edu.au
M: 0409 411 789
The University of Adelaide and CALHN
For the official press release go to the University of Adelaide newsroom