What is the IPM?
The IPM is a training organisation for doctors.

What are the IPM's aims?
To provide education, training and research in psychosexual medicine for doctors in the UK.

How will IPM training benefit me?
If you are a doctor who regularly comes into contact with patients presenting with sexual problems, IPM training may benefit you.

What is the IPM approach?
The IPM approach is a brief therapy based on psychoanalytical principles, but drawing on medical knowledge and skills. This combined with the physical examination makes IPM training and therapy unique.

What does the training involve?
Trainees attend small seminar groups and present single doctor-patient encounters. Starting from a point of ignorance the trainee and the other doctors in the group interpret, and reflect on the work done by the doctor (paying particular attention to the doctor-patient relationship), in order to formulate a hypothesis about the underlying cause of the sexual problem.

Who might be interested in training?
Through training an increasing number of GPs, family planning doctors, gynaecologists, GUM physicians and Urologists are experiencing fresh insights into all aspects of their work.

Can only doctors train with the IPM?
Only doctors are able to attend the Training Seminars which lead to Diploma and Membership Examinations.

Does the IPM offer any other kind of training? The IPM is currently looking at other training opportunities for healthcare professionals. We recently ran 2 pilot Seminars for physiotherapists and are currently developing a one-day Skills Workshop

Are there any qualifications? Yes, the Diploma in Psychosexual Medicine and the Membership of the IPM.

Are IPM trained doctors specialists in psychosexual medicine? IPM trained doctors are experienced in helping individuals with sexual difficulties, but because everyone is different, they start from the beginning with each patient, keeping an open mind and making no assumptions.

Are psychosexual doctors psychiatrists or psychotherapists? No- they are 'body' doctors from a variety of medical fields (e.g. general practice, gynaecology, family planning, urology etc) who have a special interest and training in helping people with sexual difficulties. The training enables them to look at both the physcial and emotional factors that affect someone's sex life.

Is the training available in my area? Contact us here to find out.

Will training enable me to be a specialist? Yes, doctors who pass the Membership Examination may practice as Specialist in Psychosexual Medicine and be added to the IPM Referrals List.