Doctors are encouraged to learn their patients' sexual orientation

 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals are at an increased risk of a number of health problems. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher rates of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Furthermore, the organization states that the LGBT community experiences other, non-sex-related conditions at a higher rate, such as mental health problems.

Recently, The Boston Globe reported that healthcare workers are struggling to provide this community with the unique services that it needs.

"In order to understand and address LGBT health disparities, we as health care providers need to better understand who our LGBT patients are," said Stephen Boswell, M.D., president of Fenway Health, quoted by the news source.

In response to this, the Fenway Health Research Institutes has released two publications that are meant to encourage more open communication between doctors and LGBT patients. The first discusses how to explain to individuals why it's necessary to learn their sexual orientation. The idea behind this is that if patients understand that this is important information that will be kept confidential, they will be less likely to feel uncomfortable.

The second publication contains guidelines for addressing sexual orientation. It includes a suggestion for a new question that doctors can put on their registration forms that reads "do you consider yourself..." with boxes for various orientations.

"Provider knowledge about their patients’ sexual orientation and gender identity can facilitate optimal care," states the publication, quoted by the Globe.

In 2010, a study conducted by the RAND corporation and the University of California, Los Angeles, found that while 70 percent of LGBT individuals surveyed said that most people close to them knew their sexual orientation, only 35 percent said that their doctor was also aware.