Patient interview

How to take a sexual history

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPANursing (NCLEX)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

A sexual history is routine care. Explain why you ask and use neutral language.

Step by step

  1. Set the stage

    Private, confidential, explain that you ask everyone. [1]

  2. Partners

    Number, gender of partners, new partners. [2]

  3. Practices

    Vaginal, anal, oral sex. [2]

  4. Protection

    Condoms, PrEP, vaccinations (HPV, hepatitis B). [2]

  5. Past infections

    Past STIs, testing, partner symptoms. [2]

  6. Pregnancy plans

    Contraception and pregnancy wishes. [2]

  7. Safety

    Ask if sex is always consensual and if they feel safe. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

18 VMS cases train this skill: open the case library

Sources

  1. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
  2. NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
  3. NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations

Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.