Online Learning Modules

Facets of Rural Sexual Health

CERSH has developed free and accredited online learning modules for rural health professionals and other interested rural workers. There are currently 12 modules available. The overall aim of the modules is to provide practitioners with knowledge and skills regarding aspects of sexual health that particularly pertain to the rural setting.

Cost: Free

Location: Online

Learning model: Self-guided adult learning. Complete as a full course or choose the modules that suit your learning needs.

Accreditation: Each module is RACGP and ACRRM accredited and CPD points are allocated based on the hours of learning. CPD points will be allocated into your account on completion of each module.

Outline of the modules:

An outline of each module is below, along with the estimated time each will take to complete.

  • Module 1: Introduction to Rural Sexual Health Care

    This first model introduces models of health care in rural communities, explained by experts in the field.

    Approx. learning time: 1 hour

    RACGP CPD Activity: 2 points

  • Module 2: Cornerstones of Rural Sexual Health

    In this module you will gain some tips into how to take a good history about someone’s sexual activity. The module also looks at issues of access to medical care related to cost, and usage of Medicare by young patients.

    Approx. learning time: 2 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 4 points

  • Module 3: STI: Treatment and Management

    The NSW STI Programs Unit (STIPU) in partnership with the CERSH, Australian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACCRM) have developed this module to assist GPs to understand the current epidemiology of sexual health in Australia, identify the role they have to play in preventing STIs and consider what changes they can implement into their practice to ensure patients feel comfortable to ask about their sexual health care.

    Approx. learning time: 1.5 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 3 points

  • Module 4: Youth and Trust

    This module explores ideas for engaging younger clients and the legalities that may need to be addressed.

    Approx. learning time: 1.5 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 3 points

  • Module 5: Privacy and Confidentiality

    This module explores ideas on how to maintain privacy and confidentiality in a rural community setting.

    Approx. learning time: 1 hour

    RACGP CPD Activity: 2 points

  • Module 6: Avoiding Assumptions in Sexual Health Care

    This module looks at the experiences of people with diverse sexuality and sexual health needs and how we can learn from them to provide better health care.

    Approx. learning time: 1 hour

    RACGP CPD Activity: 2 points

  • Module 7: Partner Notification in a Small Community

    This module presents some concepts to help with partner notification in smaller communities, where overlapping relationships produce particular challenges.

    Approx. learning time: 1.5 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 3 points

  • Module 8: Pharmaceutical Access for Sexual Health Care

    This modules explores how to create better pharmacy access for patients with sexual health care needs.

    Approx. learning time: 2 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 4 points

  • Module 9: National Cervical Screening Program

    This module covers an overview of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP), with a focus on how to engage under-screened patients.

    Approx. learning time: 2 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 4 points

  • Module 10: Service Delivery of Medical Abortion in a Rural Context

    This module will take you through issues worth considering when contemplating or indeed setting up a service for medical abortion in a rural setting. The module will give examples of how it has been done by others and the different models of care that have been used.

    Approx. learning time: 3 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 6 points

  • Module 11: Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

    This module will look at identifying patients suited to LARC and how to explain the different methods of LARC available. The module also aims to present the benefits of offering LARC and to improve the take-up of LARC as the first line of contraception.

    Approx. learning time: 3 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 6 points

  • Module 12: Syphilis

    This module explores the history of syphilis, as a background to understanding the epidemiology and to determine screening and treatment best practices.

    Approx. learning time: 2.5 hours

    RACGP CPD Activity: 5 points

How to enrol in the free learning modules

The modules are hosted on Canvas,  The University of Melbourne's learning platform, and users will need an account to enrol.

To obtain access to the modules, follow the below instructions.

Send a request email with the below details listed to: cersh-admin@unimelb.edu.au

  1. Full Name
  2. Email Address
  3. Professional Affiliation

You will receive an 'account activation' email with instructions on creating your Canvas account (make sure you take note of your username and password).

Once your account is activated, you will be able to login to Canvas and commence your learning!

For each completed module you will receive a Certificate of Completion as evidence of your learning. RACGP & ACRRM members will also have CPD points allocated to their account.

Questions about these modules?

Please contact us at: cersh-admin@unimelb.edu.au.