FCMHW PROGRAM: Clinical workforce development: Healthy Male-Bellberry Clinical Training Fellowship in Men’s Health
Contact: Professor Gary Wittert
Overview:
At present there is no trained specialist in disorders affecting male reproductive function (Andrologist) in South Australia, and no training program in andrology. It is however also increasingly recognised that male health needs to be considered more holistically and beyond the narrow confines of andrology.
The reproductive consequences of obesity and related chronic disease, treatment for a range of cancers, health related lifestyle behaviours, and mental health needs of men are not being adequately addressed. These conditions impact on healthy ageing and maintenance of quality of life and independence.
The Centre has contributed substantially to the understanding of the risk factors for and interrelationships between physical and mental disorders commonly affecting men. Chronic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression intersect with disorders of reproductive, sexual, and lower urinary tract function in men. Rarely are these conditions clinically investigated with these interrelations in mind.
We have shown that the clinical presentation of several chronic disorders differs between men and women, and the experience of, response to, and treatment needs of men and women in relation to many of these disorders require sex-specific consideration. The Centre has strongly advocated for the provision of healthcare needs to be tailored based on sex, gender, cultural identity, if health outcomes are going to be improved. This demands an investment in the training of the healthcare workforce. This need is now supported by peak bodies for men’s health nationally and internationally. The National Men’s Health Strategy calls for an investment in the development of health service provision models that meets men’s needs and preferences. The FCMHW contributed substantially to this strategy.
This program is a 1-year South-Australian based clinical training fellowship in andrology and Men’s Health, delivered in association with Healthy Male (Andrology Australia) to develop a dedicated men’s health clinical sub-speciality workforce and services. Bellberry Limited, is to partner with the Centre and Healthy Male to co-fund the Fellowship, recognising its potential impact on health care provision and health outcomes for men.