Patient sexual orientation and gender identity disclosure

Background In theUK, 2.3% of men and 1.6% of women identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB). Of theUKpopulation, 1% are estimated to identify as transgender (T). Of theLGBpopulation, 46% do not disclose their sexual orientation to health care professionals (HCPs) and 18% of transgender patients avoid health care altogether. Non-disclosure of sexual orientation and/or gender identity contributes to worse health outcomes forLGBTpatients. Objectives This study aimed to explore medical students' perceptions of the barriers to health care forLGBTpatients and the importance of patient disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity. Methods Focus groups included medical students across five year-groups from a medical school in the South East of England. Discussions followed a pre-approved topic guide with a primary and co-facilitator present. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and the data underwent framework analysis. Results Forty-five undergraduate medical students participated (40% of whom were non-heterosexual). Most participants believed that the incorrect use of pronouns and discrimination would be a cause for non-disclosure of gender identity and sexual orientation toHCPs. Several participants thought it was more important to know a patient's gender identity than sexual orientation. Many participants felt that collecting sexual orientation information on healthcare registration forms is acceptable. Discussion More education regardingLGBThealth needs and ways to encourage patient disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity should be included in the undergraduate medical school curricula to increase the competency of future doctors when interacting withLGBTpatients.