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Do ask, do tell.
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. jpotter@caregroup.harvard.edu
Annals of Internal Medicine
|September 3, 2002
Summary
Lesbian and gay patients often receive suboptimal healthcare due to medical bias. Open communication about sexual orientation and behaviors is crucial for effective medical care and risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Practice
- LGBT Health
- Sociology of Medicine
Background:
- Lesbian and gay individuals frequently experience suboptimal healthcare.
- Bias and lack of knowledge within the medical profession contribute to these disparities.
- Effective patient-physician relationships require understanding sexual orientation and behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical need for clinicians to inquire about sexual orientation and behaviors.
- To emphasize the importance of creating an environment conducive to patient disclosure.
- To illustrate the challenges and rewards associated with physicians disclosing their sexual orientation.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of personal experiences.
- Vignette-based illustration.
- Exploration of patient and physician perspectives.
Main Results:
- Suboptimal healthcare for lesbian and gay patients is a consequence of bias and ignorance.
- Knowledge of sexual orientation is vital for therapeutic relationships, risk assessment, and preventive counseling.
- Clinicians' failure to ask and patients' reluctance to disclose hinder optimal care.
Conclusions:
- Creating an open environment for disclosure is essential for improving healthcare for lesbian and gay individuals.
- Physician disclosure can be challenging but rewarding.
- Addressing bias and ignorance is key to equitable healthcare.