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. 2015 Jun;105(6):1114-9.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302448. Epub 2015 Apr 16.

Finding the perfect doctor: identifying lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender-competent physicians

Joshua Khalili  1 , Lucinda B Leung, Allison L Diamant
Affiliations

Finding the perfect doctor: identifying lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender-competent physicians

Joshua Khalili et al. Am J Public Health. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: We assessed the existence of procedures and policies for identifying lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)-competent physicians at US academic faculty practices, and sought to identify physician training programs that enhance LGBT competency.

Methods: We invited all 138 Liaison Committee on Medical Education-accredited US academic faculty practices to participate in a survey in 2012. We systematically assessed their procedures and policies to identify LGBT-competent physicians and their LGBT-competency training. We also assessed geographic region, funding source, and an LGBT health center in the same state. We performed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: The response rate was 50%. Few participants had existing procedures (9%) or policies (4%) to identify LGBT-competent physicians. Procedures included online directories with self-identified LGBT-competent physicians available to the public. Sixteen percent of participants reported having comprehensive LGBT-competency training, and 52% reported having no training. Of note, 80% of participants indicated interest to do more to address these issues.

Conclusions: There exist both need and interest for US academic faculty practices to develop procedures, policies, and programs that improve access to LGBT-competent physicians and to train physicians to become LGBT-competent.

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References

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