Service Providers
 Why
should service providers be educated about LGBT health issues?
Wisconsin's LGBT youth and adults are at increased risk for adverse
health outcomes in regard to alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, safety and
violence, mental health, and HIV/AIDS when compared to their non-LGBT
peers. While the causes of these health disparities are complex,
they are centered on four main issues. First, some members of the LGBT
community are reluctant to divulge their sexual orientation or gender
identity to healthcare
providers. Second, not enough healthcare providers have been trained
provide culturally competent care to LGBT individuals. Third, structural
barriers limit the access LGBT people have to healthcare. Last, there are
not enough culturally appropriate and targeted prevention services for the
LGBT community.
How can clinical practice influence LGBT health disparities?
Factors in the clinical setting that can contribute to LGBT health
disparities include negative societal attitudes toward sexual minorities,
lack of appropriate physician education about LGBT issues, and
communication shortfalls between medical professionals and patients.
Because most medical training programs in America do not include LGBT cultural
competence as part of the required core curriculum, many healthcare professionals
are not aware of how to create a supportive environment for LGBT patients and
counsel them about issues relevant to their lives and behaviors.
However, by learning how to address the health concerns of LGBT people,
health care providers can take important steps toward reducing health disparities in
the LGBT community.
The following resources are intended to increase awareness among
healthcare providers of health issues and disparities affecting LGBT
people. Use the left hand navigation bar to learn more about any of the
health concerns addressed below.
All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the
benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not
testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided
on externally linked pages.
Hyperlinks marked with the 
icon indicate Wisconsin resources.
Advancing Effective
Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care
for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community: A Field
Guide
Description: The Joint Commission developed this resource to encourage
US hospitals to create a more welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment
that contributes to improved health care quality for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients and their families.
Resource availability: Internet
Center
of Excellence for Transgender Health
Description: Based at the University of California, San Francisco,
this academic center focuses on increasing access to comprehensive,
effective, and affirming healthcare services for trans and gender-variant
communities.
Resource availability: Internet
Clinical protocol guidelines for transgender care
Description: Example
of clinical protocol guidelines for transgender care published by
Vancouver Coastal Health
Resource availability: Internet
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
Description: News, educational
programs, advocacy, and health resources for LGBT people and clinicians
Resource availability: Internet
Guidelines for Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients (PDF,
1.8 MB)
Description: Guidelines for clinicians published by the Gay and Lesbian
Medical Association
Resource availability: Internet
The
Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a
Foundation for Better Understanding
Description: Institute of Medicine report evaluating current
knowledge of the health status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
populations; identifying research gaps and opportunities; and outlining a
research agenda to help the National Institutes of Health focus its
research in LGBT health.
Resource availability: Internet
Improving Engagement and Retention in Adult Care Settings for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth Living with HIV -- A
Guide for Adult HIV Healthcare Providers (PDF,
280 KB)
Description: Resource guide for health professionals
Resource availability:
Internet
LGBT-Friendliness Kit for Primary Care Physicians
Description: Information resources for primary care physicians
(PCPs) to support clinical environments that are welcoming for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons as well as other sexual
and gender minorities.
Resource availability: Internet
National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Description: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention
hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Resource availability: Internet and toll-free hotline:
1-800-273-TALK [8255]
Prairielands Addiction Technology Transfer Center
Description:
Educational opportunities for those interested in substance abuse
treatment and counseling, with a special focus on LGBT populations
Resource availability: Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Minnesota, Internet
Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women
Description: Policy paper from the Fenway Institute addressing
the importance of cervical cancer screening for lesbian and bisexual
women.
Resource availability: Internet
Policy Focus: Why Gather Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
in Clinical Settings
Description: The Fenway Institute's policy brief
highlighting the importance of gathering information about patients’
sexual and gender identity in clinical settings.
Resource availability: Internet
Policy Focus: How
to Gather Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Clinical
Settings
Description: The Fenway Institute's policy brief
recommending ways to gather information about patients’ sexual and
gender identity in clinical settings.
Resource availability: Internet
Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender
Nonconforming People (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Description:
7th version of the Standards of Care published by the World Professional
Association for Transgender Health.
Resource availability: Internet
STD Checkup
Description: STD information resources for MSM and health care
providers serving MSM.
Resource availability: Internet
StopBullying.gov
Description: Information from various government agencies on how
kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community
can prevent or stop bullying.
Resource availability: Internet
Tips for Health Care Providers When Working with Bisexual Clients
(downloadable) (PDF, 17 KB)
Description: Information on communication and building a
safe environment for bisexual clients, published by the Fenway Institute
Resource availability: Internet
Top Health Issues for LGBT Populations Information and Resource Kit
Description: Resource for prevention professionals, healthcare
providers, and educators regarding current health issues among LGBT
populations.
Resource availability: Internet
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Recommended Actions to Improve the
Health and Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Communities
Description: Summary of the efforts taken by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve the lives of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, as well as
recommendations for future action.
Resource availability: Internet
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Last Revised: May 09, 2013 |
