(693) Forgotten Intimacy: Integrating Sexual and Relationship History into Inpatient Psychiatric Care

Introduction Sexuality and relational functioning are fundamental to human identity, mental health, and recovery. Yet, within inpatient psychiatric settings, these dimensions remain largely neglected. Barriers such as time constraints, discomfort, and insufficient training often prevent clinicians from addressing sexual issues. This omission may contribute to unrecognized side effects, incomplete diagnostics, and reduced therapeutic outcomes. The present study explores current practices and attitudes regarding sexual and relationship history taking in psychiatric care, aiming to identify barriers, facilitators, and needs for systematic integration. Objective To assess current practices and barriers in addressing sexual and relationship history in inpatient psychiatric care, compare relevant guidelines, and develop recommendations for integrating structured sexual anamnesis into routine clinical assessment. Methods A qualitative approach was employed, including semi-structured interviews with psychiatrists, psychologists, and nursing staff to explore current practices, attitudes, and perceived barriers to addressing sexual and relationship issues in inpatient care. In addition, a comparative review of psychiatric and sexual medicine guidelines was conducted to identify existing recommendations and training needs. Results Preliminary findings and literature evidence show that sexual topics are rarely addressed during psychiatric assessment. Many clinicians report uncertainty about boundaries, lack of competence, and fear of inappropriate disclosure. Nonetheless, most acknowledge that sexuality and relational factors significantly affect medication adherence, therapeutic alliance, and overall recovery. Conclusions Structured sexual and relationship history taking should be recognized as a core component of psychiatric care. Implementing standardized tools and interdisciplinary training in sexual medicine can enhance clinicians’ confidence, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and foster truly holistic, patient-centered treatment in mental health settings. Disclosure No