Being lesbian--does the doctor need to know?

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Qualitative Health Research
• Patient-Physician Communication

Background:

• Lesbian women face decisions about disclosing their sexual orientation to healthcare providers, including general practitioners (GPs).
• Historical marginalization and prejudice can lead to fears of negative reactions from doctors.
• Disclosure is a recurring consideration in new patient-GP encounters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore lesbian patients' experiences with disclosing their sexual orientation to GPs.
• To understand the importance of disclosure for lesbian patients.
• To identify strategies GPs can use to encourage disclosure.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative group interview was conducted with six self-identified lesbian women (aged 28-59).
• Systematic text condensation, inspired by Giorgi's phenomenological approach, was used for analysis.
• Participants shared experiences where disclosing sexual orientation was deemed important in GP consultations.

Main Results:

• Disclosure can provide medically relevant information and contextualize patient circumstances.
• Sharing one's true self with the GP can be facilitated through disclosure.
• Specific, common consultation techniques employed by GPs can encourage patients to disclose their sexual orientation.

Conclusions:

• Lesbian patients desire to disclose their sexual orientation but encounter barriers.
• An open and permissive context created by the GP can help overcome these barriers.
• Educating GPs about sexual orientation can enhance their care for lesbian patients.