Displays of inclusivity ‘not enough’ in the absence of adequate LGBTQIA+ care training
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The LGBTQIA+ community has long-endured decades of stigma and discrimination.
Although we as a medical community have come a long way with regard to acceptance, legislative barriers to equitable health care and limited research of marginalized sexual and gender identities continue to hinder our progress.
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This month’s Healio Gastroenterology Exclusive highlights landmark events — from homosexuality being considered a mental disorder to bans on blood donation by men who have sex with men — that have instrumentally contributed to the lack of trust in health care providers by the LGBTQIA+ community. Unfortunately, these events have fueled the fear our community faces when considering seeing a health care provider.
Despite federal protections, disparities in access to care and mistreatment continue to infiltrate medical practices across the country.
When patients fear disclosing their sexual orientation and gender identity, which the article points out are often relevant to diagnosis and treatment, they may receive inadequate care. On the other hand, disclosure can increase vulnerability and lead to care denial. It truly is a fine balance that relies heavily on trust.
I wholeheartedly agree that displays of inclusivity are not enough. Rainbow pins, window decals and wall décor are certainly welcome but should be cautiously displayed — and only when the entire staff are trained and adequately educated on how to respectfully greet and treat patients. Otherwise, this is a disingenuous performative measure.
Although robust, prospective data are lacking, there has been a recent — and welcome — rise in funding for DEI-related research initiatives, which hopefully will allow us to build upon what we know so far about the intersection of digestive health and the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community. However, to engage with the SGM community and encourage participation in research, it is imperative to continue normalizing conversations about sexual health that are typically challenging to have or make people uncomfortable.
The time for us to engage with our allies is now — and it all starts with kindness, humility and an open-minded approach. As a medical community, we can do better and need to return to the basics by following the golden rule: “Treat others as you would like others to treat you.”
- For more information:
- Nikki Duong, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University Medical Center and founding member and co-executive director of Rainbows in Gastro. He can be contacted at nduong91@stanford.edu; X: @doctornikkid.
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